Upcoming Events
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Chicago’s Eclipse Fest
On Monday August 21, 2017, a solar eclipse will be visible (weather permitting) across all of North America. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon blocks any part of the Sun. In Chicago, the eclipse will begin at approximately 11:54 am. At 1:19 pm, the Moon will block 87% of the Sun.
Where will you be? Come experience it with us!
The Adler is hosting Chicago’s biggest eclipse block party featuring all things solar with FREE outdoor activities and safe viewing of the Sun and the eclipse! Join fellow Chicagoans and visitors to our great city to share this spectacular celestial experience together as a community. We’re setting up under the Sun and filling our parking lot with programming from partners across the city. Enjoy live entertainment, hands-on science for all ages, local food trucks, eclipse updates, and more. Additionally, all guests will get #EquippedToEclipse with free safe solar viewing glasses while supplies last.
This event is free to the public. Inside the museum, guests will receive free general admission to check out our exhibitions, including our latest, Chasing Eclipses, which prepares you to experience an eclipse.
*Runtime for “Eclipse Watch” is approx. 12 minutes and approx. 30 minutes for all standard Adler shows. Please keep this in mind when selecting shows as you purchasing tickets.
Where can I get solar eclipse glasses?
At Adler Planetarium
Glasses will be distributed to Adler Planetarium guests through the box offices starting August 11, one per guest, while supplies last.
Additionally, Adler Planetarium staff and volunteers will distribute glasses on August 21 at Chicago’s Eclipse Fest, and at Daley Plaza, while supplies last.
From An Adler Brand Ambassador
Adler Brand Ambassadors will be at the following locations to hand out glasses and teach visitors about the eclipse, safe solar viewing, as well as Chicago’s Eclipse Fest:
- Daley Plaza: Wednesday, August 16 @ 7:00 am – 1:00 pm
- South Grant Park: Thursday, August 17 @ 1:00 – 7:00 pm
- Lagunitas Brewing Company: Friday, August 18 @ 12:30 – 6:30 pm
At Chicago Public Library Branches
Chicago Public Library branches will distribute Adler’s solar viewing glasses starting August 14. Glasses are first come, first served, up to 2 glasses per adult or teen. While supplies last.
At Suburban Library Branches
Several public libraries and library districts in the Chicago suburbs will be handing out eclipse glasses. Inquire with your local public library about availability. Many, but not all, of these libraries are shown on this map.
At Organizations Throughout Chicagoland
Below is a list of other organizations handing out Adler Planetarium’s solar viewing glasses, while supplies last. Each organization has created their own schedules for distribution. Please check with the organizations directly to inquire about distribution.
- Chicago Botanic Garden | Glencoe, IL
- Morton Arboretum | Lisle, IL
- Naper Settlement | Naperville, IL
- Chicago Park District (various sites) | Chicago, IL
- DuSable Museum of African American History | Chicago, IL
- National Museum of Mexican Art | Chicago, IL
- Wonder Works Children’s Museum | Oak Park, IL
- Kinslahger Brewing Company | Oak Park, IL
- Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio | Oak Park, IL
- Lagunitas Brewing Company (beginning August 12) | Chicago, IL
- Baderbrau Brewing Company (beginning August 11) | Chicago, IL
- Shoreline Water Taxi (with purchase of ride) | Chicago, IL
- Chicago Trolley Double Decker (with purchase of ride, August 19 – 21)| Chicago, IL
Important Information About Where to Purchase Glasses
A list of reputable vendors is available from the American Astronomical Society. Note that counterfeit glasses are coming in from other countries and have been on sale for some time. Just looking for the ISO certification printed on the glasses is NOT a way to tell if glasses are safe, as any vendor can print ISO certification information on their glasses. The only way to be sure your glasses are safe is to get them from the Adler Planetarium, one of our partners, and/or purchase from one of the vendors identified on the AAS web page listed above.
At Adler Planetarium
Glasses will be distributed to Adler Planetarium guests through the box offices starting August 11, one per guest, while supplies last.
Additionally, Adler Planetarium staff and volunteers will distribute glasses on August 21 at Chicago’s Eclipse Fest, and at Daley Plaza, while supplies last.
From An Adler Brand Ambassador
Adler Brand Ambassadors will be at the following locations to hand out glasses and teach visitors about the eclipse, safe solar viewing, as well as Chicago’s Eclipse Fest:
- Daley Plaza: Wednesday, August 16 @ 7:00 am – 1:00 pm
- South Grant Park: Thursday, August 17 @ 1:00 – 7:00 pm
- Lagunitas Brewing Company: Friday, August 18 @ 12:30 – 6:30 pm
At Chicago Public Library Branches
Chicago Public Library branches will distribute Adler’s solar viewing glasses starting August 14. Glasses are first come, first served, up to 2 glasses per adult or teen. While supplies last.
At Suburban Library Branches
Several public libraries and library districts in the Chicago suburbs will be handing out eclipse glasses. Inquire with your local public library about availability. Many, but not all, of these libraries are shown on this map.
At Organizations Throughout Chicagoland
Below is a list of other organizations handing out Adler Planetarium’s solar viewing glasses, while supplies last. Each organization has created their own schedules for distribution. Please check with the organizations directly to inquire about distribution.
- Chicago Botanic Garden | Glencoe, IL
- Morton Arboretum | Lisle, IL
- Naper Settlement | Naperville, IL
- Chicago Park District (various sites) | Chicago, IL
- DuSable Museum of African American History | Chicago, IL
- National Museum of Mexican Art | Chicago, IL
- Wonder Works Children’s Museum | Oak Park, IL
- Kinslahger Brewing Company | Oak Park, IL
- Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio | Oak Park, IL
- Lagunitas Brewing Company (beginning August 12) | Chicago, IL
- Baderbrau Brewing Company (beginning August 11) | Chicago, IL
- Shoreline Water Taxi (with purchase of ride) | Chicago, IL
- Chicago Trolley Double Decker (with purchase of ride, August 19 – 21)| Chicago, IL
Important Information About Where to Purchase Glasses
A list of reputable vendors is available from the American Astronomical Society. Note that counterfeit glasses are coming in from other countries and have been on sale for some time. Just looking for the ISO certification printed on the glasses is NOT a way to tell if glasses are safe, as any vendor can print ISO certification information on their glasses. The only way to be sure your glasses are safe is to get them from the Adler Planetarium, one of our partners, and/or purchase from one of the vendors identified on the AAS web page listed above.
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