On September 27, 2015, people all around the world were able to witness something that will not be seen again 2033. The Lunar Eclipse, also known as ‘the Blood Moon, which is the full moon is passing through the shadow of the earth. It gets the red colour from the sun passing through our earth’s atmosphere which is what you see on the surface of the moon. Mrs. Teena Della, a math and earth science teacher, invited students from her classes and community to share the rare experience of the lunar eclipse at one of her star parties.
The star party was located at a local park using a high definition telescope to see in great detail the lunar eclipse or other rare occurrences in the solar system. In recent years, star parties have only happened once every semester. Mrs. Della commented that her goal is to “My goal is to have a star party every two months.” But then it gets cold; or I get busy, or the weathers just terrible; it’s hard to fit it in sometimes,” Said Della, star parties last around an hour and half, but participants can leave at any time. Staying can result in seeing changes during the certain events that most people wouldn’t see without a telescope.
Della created star parties when she first started teaching at Terry Fox Secondary. Star parties can better a student’s understanding of the solar system by actually seeing it in great detail rather than seeing pictures online, or trying to picture it using their imagination. “Just having that experience inspires a bit of wonder. When you know a little bit, it gets you very interested,” said Della, explaining how it can benefit one’s understanding of space and how it can inspire when seen up close.
It’s always good to learn something different and have new experiences; going to Della’s star parties can be a good opportunity to learn and get inspiration from the universe. “I just find everything about it so interesting, it’s all so fascinating since it’s something we just don’t know anything about and there’s so many possibilities out there in space,” said Della, explaining why she finds space so interesting. “Space is a complex topic but being able to see and discover it first hand is incredible,” said grade 11 student Tylar Clare.
