Relive the 2017 Great American Eclipse
Celebrate the 2017 total solar eclipse with The Franklin Institute's Chief Astronomer, Derrick Pitts.
What is an eclipse?
Learn about Solar and Lunar Eclipses, how they differ, and why these events are of interest to scientists.
Future Eclipses
Discover when and where you will next be able to observe either a lunar or a solar eclipse.
Learn how to safely observe a solar eclipse
A total solar eclipse is an amazing astronomical event that many people will be excited to see. However, it’s important to remember that staring directly at the sun is extremely dangerous. At any time during a solar eclipse, any uncovered, exposed, or visible portion of the sun is still bright enough to permanently damage your eyes. Only during totality, when the moon’s disk completely covers the sun, it is safe to look at the eclipse with the naked eye. However, it is essential to take proper precautions and view the eclipse using a specially designed filter at any other time. Learn more
All About Solar Eclipses with Derrick Pitts
Learn more about the science behind eclipses and what makes them such a special experience from The Franklin Institute's Chief Astronomer.
Make Your Own "Pinhole Camera" Solar Viewing Device
Get step-by-step instructions on how to make your very own safe "Pinhole Camera" solar viewer for use in observing solar eclipses, sunspots and other solar phenomena.
Tesla's Dream
As part of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, we tell the story of Nikola Tesla's 1893 visit to The Franklin Institute.
Follow Derrick Pitts
Follow our Chief Astronomer, Derrick Pitts, on Twitter to stay up-to-date on important stories from the cosmos.