Griffith Observatory will host a free public event to view the total lunar eclipse on Sunday, Sept. 27 from 6:30-9:45 p.m. Telescope and binocular viewing of the moon will be available with commentary by Griffith Observatory staff members. The building will be open as usual, though the Samuel Oschin Planetarium will be closed for maintenance work.

A view of the Los Angeles basin at dusk from the western side of the Samuel Oschin Planetarium dome of Griffith Observatory. (photo courtesy of Griffith Observatory)

Throughout the evening, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Steinway & Sons are presenting live piano music performed by Ray Ushikubo of the Colburn School. He will perform Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” and other moon-related pieces on the front lawn. Blankets are welcome, but chairs are prohibited.

In anticipation of large crowds and traffic, it is suggested that visitors consider utilizing the Metro Red Line (Sunset/Vermont) and the DASH Observatory Weekend Shuttle.

The maximum eclipse will occur at 7:47 p.m. If you cannot make it to the observatory, the eclipse is viewable to the naked eye from almost anywhere, looking towards the east. It can also be seen from the observatory’s live online broadcast of the total eclipse at www.new.livestream.com/GriffithObservatoryTV.

Griffith Observatory is located at 2800 E. Observatory Rd.