There is always something interesting for all ages at the Planetarium: events, the Observatory, guided tours at the geology and fossils exhibitions and much more.
In every evening with clear skies, the stars appear one after another. The wonders of the night sky inspire people and offer them enjoyment and relaxation.
From time to time a dream to know all names of the stars and planets and to locate them easily comes.
The KITION PLANETARIUM & OBSERVATORY every month issues program for public, both Planetarium programs and observations (usually optical, the radiotelescope is opened for public by appointments). There is a natural history exposition with minerals, fossils and aliens (meteorites) that is opened by appointments.
Location:
Kition Planetarium & Observatory
9, Ammochostou St,
Kiti, Larnaka 7550, Cyprus
Phone: +357 99 99 11 11
Fax: +357 24 42 53 00
EMAIL: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/groups/kition
WEBSITE: www.astronomycyprus.eu
Programme of August events at the Kition Planetarium:
Celestial Phenomena in August 2017
This year, in August, there will be 3 spectacular celestial phenomena: a partial lunar eclipse, a solar eclipse and the Perseids meteor shower.
Partial Lunar Eclipse – 7th August 2017
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon enters the shadow of the Earth. As a result, the brightness of the Moon’s surface reduces and we observe the Earth’s dark shadow moving across the Moon’s disc. The Moon rises over Cyprus at 19:33 on the 7th August, and by this time the Moon will be in the Earth’s penumbra. The partial eclipse will start at 20:15 when the Moon enters the dark Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra. At this time the lower part of the lunar disc will become darker. The eclipse will reach its maximum at 21:19 and at that moment about a quarter of the Moon will darken. At 22:22 the partial eclipse will end, while the penumbral phases will continue till 23:53.
Perseids Meteor Shower 2017
The Perseids meteor shower is the annual phenomenon that occurs when particles of the comet 109P/Swift–Tuttle enter the Earth’s atmosphere at the huge velocity of 58 km/s. These particles, burn up producing meteors which we describe as “shooting stars”. Perseids have already been recorded over Cyprus in July and they can be observed all through August. The mean maximum for Perseids this year is expected to be on 12th August from 17:00 till 13th August at 06:30. It will be dark in Cyprus for a large fraction of this time, so this means that we are at a great advantage to observe the maximum. The Perseids meteor shower produces many bright fireballs and this is one of the reasons why it is the most famous meteor shower of all.
Total Solar Eclipse – 21st August 2017
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon completely blocks the Sun from the view of an observer on the Earth. Totality only occurs for a few minutes and is one of the most impressive astronomical phenomena that can be observed from Earth. Research and discoveries carried out by KITION PLANETARIUM & OBSERVATORY on historic observations of total solar eclipses and how they influenced the outlook of Europeans and other cultures has been published in international academic journals. This year a total eclipse will occur between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, crossing the USA from West to East. The longest duration of the totality will be about 2 minutes 40 seconds. Partial phases of the eclipse will be visible in some countries in Western Europe around sunset. The eclipse will not be visible from Cyprus. Observations of the total solar eclipses nowadays give valuable scientific information. For instance, the corona, which is the outer layer of the Sun, can be studied in detail. The corona is not usually visible due to the very bright solar surface. Also, precise measurements of the diameter of the Sun are made and theories of gravity are tested. The KITION PLANETARIUM & OBSERVATORY is taking part in this research and has organized complex scientific expeditions to 2 different sites in the USA to make observations of the total solar eclipse.
All times are given for the KITION PLANETARIUM & OBSERVATORY. At other locations times may differ.
To mark the importance of the above described phenomena, the KITION PLANETARIUM & OBSERVATORY organises the following public events.
7 August
19:00 “Eclipses in culture (en)
Observations of the lunar eclipse
Information & booking: tel. +357 99 991 111
Venue: Kition Planetarium & Observatory
12 August
19:00 “Perseids meteor shower 2017”
As well as relaxing under the stars, observing the meteor shower and having fun, the event includes the following activities:
- Live Music with Yuri Melikov
- Tours of the night sky
- Telescope observations of the Moon and planets
Venue: The spot, Kitemed Kitesurfing school, Softades, Larnaka coordinates: 34°48´N 33°33´E
https://wego.here.com/directions/drive/mylocation/KiteSurfing-Cyprus-KiteMed:34.817457,33.548501?map=34.81746%2C33.5485%2C15%2Cnormal&avoid=carHOV
These events are part of project "Starry Bridges 2017" which was selected by the International Astronomical Union as one of the best astronomy projects in the world in 2017.
From Monday, August 07, 2017
To Monday, August 21, 2017
