Event
Lunar Eclipse Night at the Museum
Save the Date! The Next Lunar Eclipse is Thursday, August 27, 2026, and the Museum will be open late night to see it!
Event Date
Thurs., August 27, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Join us for Lunar Eclipse Night at SCSM! Guests will experience a night of exploring all four floors of the museum, planetarium shows, hands-on activities, late-night SCSM store access, and night sky viewing of the eclipse and other summer celestial objects (weather permitting).
This is your LAST CHANCE to see a major lunar eclipse from Columbia until 2029!
This will be a very deep partial lunar eclipse with most (but not all) of the Moon appearing dark red. At maximum eclipse, a small portion of the Moon will still be brightly illuminated.
Guests can enjoy:
- Night-sky viewing of the lunar eclipse from the museum Observatory, with a terrace overlooking Columbia's Vista.
- Time to explore 4 floors of ongoing and changing exhibitions.
- Hand-on activities, such as mini rocket launching and more.
- Planetarium shows: Two Small Pieces of Glass (at 9 p.m.) and the laser experience, Dark Side of the Moon (at 10 p.m.).
And much more.
Attention Museum Members! You get to start the night early with an exclusive event, Member Night: A Century Under the Stars, celebrating the 100th birthday of the museum's historic Alvan Clark Telescope. Not a Member? Join Today
Plus, we are excited to have Midlands Astronomy Club and USC Physics and Astronomy on-site for telescope viewing during this event!
Eclipse Timeline
10:33 p.m. | Eclipse begins
11 p.m. - 1 a.m. | Peak eclipse viewing
12:12 a.m. | Maximum eclipse
1 a.m. | End of event
Tickets
General admission includes access to exhibitions and night-sky viewing in the Observatory. Planetarium shows are an additional charge.
Please Note: Ticket sales and general entry will end at 11 p.m.
General Admission
Includes entry to 4 floors of ongoing and changing exhibits.
| Admission Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Member | FREE |
| Adult | $13 |
| Senior (Ages 62+) | $11 |
| Children (Ages 3-12) | $10 |
With ONE Show Add-On
General admission + ONE planetarium show.
| Admission Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Member | $4 |
| Adult | $18 |
| Senior (Ages 62+) | $16 |
| Children (Ages 3-12) | $15 |
With TWO Show Add-Ons
General admission + TWO planetarium and/or 4D shows.
| Admission Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Member | $8 |
| Adult | $21 |
| Senior (Ages 62+) | $19 |
| Children (Ages 3-12) | $18 |
Planetarium Show Details
Two Small Pieces of Glass (30 min)
When was the first telescope invented? Learn about the history of the telescope, including how they work and how they have dramatically changed our view of the universe and our place in it over time. Afterward, we’ll take a quick look at the current night sky and simulate the lunar eclipse to give a preview of what to expect later in the evening.
Laser Lights Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon (45 min)
Experience the entire “Dark Side of the Moon” in a whole new way. In this sound and light entertainment show, artists have visualized Pink Floyd’s iconic album through a combination of graphics and abstract patterns, all created with laser light and choreographed to the music.
*Please note: this laser experience features strong language and adult themes that may not be appropriate for young audience members.
Photos Taken on the Alvan Clark Telescope
Join us for an exclusive members-only Observatory celebration honoring the 100th birthday of our historic Alvan Clark telescope.
