CARBONDALE (SIU NEWS) — Can’t sleep? Up early? You’ll be ready for the total lunar eclipse observation at Southern Illinois University Carbondale at 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3.

The live view is at the SIU University Farms Astronomy Observation Area, 2 miles west of the main campus. Can’t make it? The SIU Astrophotography Team will livestream the celestial event.

The livestream will utilize three telescopes at the site and include views from SolarSTEAM and DEB Initiative telescope teams in Colorado and Mexico, said Bob Baer, associate scientist in the School of Physics and Applied Physics.

“This is the last total lunar eclipse visible in the continental United States until Dec. 31, 2028. Provided we have good weather, this will be a great eclipse to watch in person if people can,” Baer said.

The lunar eclipse will be visible in North and South America as well as Asia and Australia. Moon watchers will be able to see the beginning of the eclipse at 3:50 a.m., all of totality, and the last partial phase prior to sunrise at 6:29 a.m.

The lunar eclipse will also be archived on SIU’s NASASolarSTEAM YouTube channel for later viewing.

Baer encourages those who come out to the site to dress warm, bring their own flashlights (preferably with a redlight mode), telescopes, binoculars and lawn chairs. Volunteers from SIU and the Astronomical Association of Southern Illinois will have  telescopes available for the public to look through. Some of the telescopes have cellphone adapters, so visitors can take their own photos, he said.

Baer said this event and others help fulfill SIU’s community service and education missions. This is part of NASA-funded research and engagement being done at SIU through the STEM Education Research Center, the School of Media Arts and the School of Physics and Applied Physics.