The Alliance Eclipse Committee will be hosting two programs by astronomer Derryl Barr Monday, July 10 at noon and 6:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center located at 1450 Box Butte Avenue.  Barr spoke to an overflow crowd this spring at the library and will reprise his presentation at two separate times in the roomy, air conditioned Performing Arts Center.  Barr will explain what to expect when Alliance hosts thousands of people Monday, August 21, 2017 during the total solar eclipse.
Barr taught an observational astronomy course at Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte between 2003 and 2011 and wrote an astronomy column for the North Platte Telegraph for 18 years.  Barr has spoken on numerous occasions about solar eclipses to local, national and international groups emphasizing Nebraska’s role in “The Great American Eclipse of 2017.”

The observation and study of solar eclipses is one of Barr’s greatest passions, taking him to all seven continents.  Barr recently returned from Indonesia where he observed his 22nd solar eclipse and he will share photos of many of these.  Currently Barr lives in Indianola, Iowa, serves as an Adjunct Instructor in the Horticulture Department of the Des Moines Area Community College, volunteers during Drake Observatory Public Nights, serves as the secretary of the Des Moines Astronomical Society and plans future eclipse expeditions.

The program is free to the public and has been funded by the Alliance Visitors Bureau and the Alliance Education Association.