HERMON – The Penobscot Valley Stargazers will welcome all visitors to a public star party and telescope viewing on the night of the total eclipse of the full moon, 9 p.m.-midnight Thursday, May 15, at Hermon Elementary School. The night will begin with telescope views of star clusters, planets and the full moon. The lunar eclipse will begin at 10:03 p.m.

The moon will be engulfed in the Earth’s shadow and may turn red or orange by 11:15 p.m. The darkening will last about an hour before the moon totally escapes Earth’s shadow by 12:07 a.m. May 16. This is the first total lunar eclipse in more than two years. This year will have two lunar eclipses. The second total eclipse of the moon will occur Nov. 9 and last only 24 minutes.

During the eclipse star party, the club telescopes will focus on dimmer objects, including galaxies that are usually not viewable in the bright sky of a full moon.

Hermon Elementary School is located next to Hermon Meadows Golf Club on Billings Road in Hermon. The site is behind the tennis courts and parking area. Parking will be along the access road.

Visitors with flashlights should keep them down-turned and filter them with kraft paper or red plastic.

For information, visit mainestargazers.org or call Alan Davenport at the Jordan Planetarium, 581-1341.