Kodaikanal/Kavalur: The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) has organised two “train-the-trainer” workshops at its observatories in Tamil Nadu ahead of the upcoming total lunar eclipse on September 7-8, 2025, to equip science communicators and teachers with the tools to conduct public outreach programmes.

The workshops were held simultaneously on August 2-3 at the historic Kodaikanal Solar Observatory and the Vainu Bappu Observatory in Kavalur, drawing around 60 participants, including government school teachers, members of science forums and representatives from organisations such as Tamil Nadu Science and Technology Council, Tamil Nadu Science Forum, Tamil Nadu Astronomy Science Society, Pondicherry Science Forum and AID India. Around a quarter of the participants were women.

Talks focused on the science of eclipses, observing techniques, safety measures and engaging activities for students and the general public. The training included hands-on sessions, focus-group discussions on planning eclipse-watching camps, and guided tours of the observatory facilities.

Participants prepared awareness strategies for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and drafted preliminary plans to conduct eclipse-viewing events across the region.

The total lunar eclipse, visible across India, will begin as a partial eclipse around 10 pm on September 7 and conclude at approximately 1.30 am on September 8.

The IIA has urged the public to witness the rare celestial event and will release further details via its social media handle @iiabengaluru.