Photo courtesy of Unsplash.
Next week, North Texans will have the rare opportunity to view a solar eclipse and the Frontiers of Flight Museum will host two events to celebrate the celestial phenomenon.
This year, North Texans will be situated in the best spot to witness the total solar eclipse, with Dallas falling right in the path of totality. The Frontiers of Flight Museum will host two days of learning and celebrating the eclipse. During the eclipse, the moon blocks the sun’s disk, revealing the solar corona. Not only will the astronomical event occur, but it’ll be best seen in Texas. The last solar eclipse happened in 1878 and the next one is not expected until 2317.
The day before the eclipse, the Frontiers of Flight Museum, a Smithsonian partner museum, will host a (Sun)day event on April 7 from 1 to 5 p.m. to educate guests about the eclipse viewing. Special guests will also discuss the importance of the solar eclipse including children’s book author Jayme Sanberg and astrophotographer Robert Reeves who will dive into the dynamics of the relationship between the sun and the moon.
“A solar eclipse is one of the most spectacular naked eye astronomy events that you can see,” Reeves said. “The majesty and beauty of it and the drama that just ingrains itself in your mind. You’ll remember it forever.
Celestron, a telescope manufacturer, will also be at the (Sun)day event with solar telescopes to demonstrate safe tips on viewing the eclipse. The (Sun)day event will be family-friendly and free with museum admission.
The second event, on the day of the solar eclipse, is already sold out but can still be watched through a live broadcast from the Weather Channel. Reeves will use a telescope connected to the Weather Channel’s feed to share with millions of viewers. Guest speakers for the event will include Astronomy Magazine’s editor-in-chief Dave Eicher, NASA Heliophysics Mission and NSS space ambassador Ken Ruffin and representatives from Celestron.
“Frontiers of Flight has partnered with the country’s leading experts to ensure that guests at the museum have the country’s most meaningful eclipse experience,” said Abigail Erickson Torres, President and CEO of Frontiers of Flight Museum. “Working with our event partners, schools, libraries and other groups, Frontiers of Flight Museum is providing thousands of children with unique STEAM resources related to the eclipse.”
