UWM’s planetarium will host a NASA-sanctioned viewing of the near-total solar eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21.

The event will start with a picnic on the lawn at the corner of Kenwood Boulevard and Maryland Avenue at 11 a.m. and will go until 3 p.m. Telescopes and safety eyewear will be available.

The moon will begin to move in front of one edge of the sun at 11:53 a.m. The eclipse will peak at 1:18 p.m., covering most of the sun, before moving off completely by 2:40 p.m.

The next time Wisconsinites will be able to see a total eclipse will be in 2024.

Special viewing glasses will be available for purchase. Sky-watchers are advised to wear special safety eyewear to look directly at the eclipse because observing even a small portion of the sun without protection can permanently harm the eyes or even cause blindness.

There will be live music, a raffle, lawn games and a bouncy house. Bring your own picnic, but some food will be available for purchase. A $5 donation is suggested.

In case of rain, livestreams of the eclipse will be shown inside the planetarium, which is also presenting a theatrical production, “The Sun’s Disappearing Act,” at 11:15 a.m. and again at 2 p.m.

Buy tickets for “The Sun’s Disappearing Act” online.

More information is available on the planetarium’s website.