The Rio Rancho Astronomical Society is hosting its annual Night Under the Stars Sept. 23 at Rainbow Park Observatory behind Rainbow Pool.

There will be an online and in-person silent auction, and family activities including sun and star gazing, weather permitting.  Food will be available for a donation.

Mike Zeiler and Polly White from the Great American Eclipse will speak on the upcoming solar eclipses and how to view them safely.

Zeiler produces the maps and animations on this website. After creating his first eclipse map for the total solar eclipse of July 22, 2009, he launched eclipse-maps.com in 2010 to showcase new and historic eclipse maps. Recognizing the widespread public interest in the August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse, he launched GreatAmericanEclipse.com on Aug. 21, 2014. Zeiler is a member of the International Astronomical Union Working Group on Solar Eclipses and is honored to have an asteroid (53253) Zeiler named after him.

White is co-publisher and business manager of GreatAmericanEclipse.com. White is a seasoned eclipse chaser and loves to share her passion for the exquisite beauty of total solar eclipses. She has worked extensively in managerial and executive roles in small businesses and she directs the development of opportunities, partnerships, and public relations for Great American Eclipse.

Activities begin at 5:30 p.m. with the Eclipse Talk starting at 7:30.  It is free and open to the public. Telescopes will be available for public sungazing and stargazing throughout the event, weather permitting.