Events
Total Eclipse: What You Need to Know
August 4, 2017
9:00 AM
3198 State Rte 2001, Alamogordo, NM 88310
- Venue:
- New Mexico Museum of Space History
- Admission:
- Free-donations welcomed
- Website:
- http://www.nmspacemuseum.org/
- Contact Name:
- Cathy Harper
- Contact E-mail Address:
- cathy.harper@state.nm.us
- Contact Phone Number:
- 575-437-2840 ext. 41153
Roughly every 18 months or so, a total solar eclipse happens somewhere on the globe. For the first time in 26 years, this incredible event is coming to America – but the path of totality is only about 70 miles wide starting in Oregon and ending in South Carolina. The rest of the country will experience a partial eclipse, with the percentage depending on where you are. Learn more about this exciting celestial event and how to view it safely during the free Launch Pad Lecture with well-known amateur astronomer James Tomaka.
Tomaka worked as a NASA contractor Systems Engineer supporting the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite Program for over 27 years. Jim is well-known in the amateur astronomy community and also serves as a volunteer ranger at Oliver Lee Memorial State Park handling the night sky interpretive program. He has been actively volunteering in supporting science–related activities in the local community. These events bring Mr. Tomaka in contact with between 500 to 1000 elementary, middle and high school students per year bringing educational outreach materials to these students and their teachers in south-central New Mexico and encourage a new generation of scientist and engineers.
Coffee and donuts are compliments of the International Space Hall of Fame Foundation. The next Launch Pad Lecture will be on September 1, 2017 and the topic will be A Long Way From Home: The Trip of Voyager 1.
The Launch Pad Lectures are streamed live on Periscope and are available on the museum’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2SirhgX3NsxcREfOVLjHeA.