FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2004

CONTACT: Charles Nelson, (515) 271-3034, charles.nelson@drake.edu
Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119, lisa.lacher@drake.edu

VIEW TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE AT DRAKE OBSERVATORY WEDNESDAY

A public viewing of the total lunar eclipse will be held at the Drake Municipal Observatory from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27.

The eclipse will begin at about 8:15 p.m. and the moon will be completely inside the Earth's shadow by 9:23 p.m.

"There is no charge for admission and we hope for good weather to permit observing the eclipse through the telescopes," said Charles Nelson, assistant professor of astronomy at Drake and director of the Drake Municipal Observatory.

The observatory is on the grounds of the Waveland Park Golf Course off of Polk Boulevard. For directions to the observatory, visit the observatory Web site at www.drake.edu/artsci/physics/observatory.html. For additional information, call (515) 271-3141.

- 30 -