North Texans will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view a solar eclipse on Monday, April 8 – the last one happened here in 1878, and there won’t be another till 2317. One of the best spots to view the eclipse will be at Dallas-based Frontiers of Flight Museum, a leading institution in the preservation of aviation and space exploration history. Its proximity to Dallas Love Field means that it has unobstructed views of the sky, making it the perfect place to catch the eclipse.
While Monday’s eclipse viewing event has sold out, you can catch a glimpse of what to expect that day at the flight museum’s “(Sun)day” event. Held the day before the solar eclipse, from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, April 7, (Sun)day will educate guests on how to safely view the eclipse and about the science behind it.
(Sun)day will feature two special guests: Noted astrophotographer and lunar expert Robert Reeves, who will talk about why the sun is the star of the show, but the moon is a strong supporting actor; and children’s book author Jayme Sanberg, whose Total Solar Eclipse: A Stellar Friendship Story explains solar eclipses and the relationship between sun and moon to kids ages 5-8.
During (Sun)day, telescope maker Celestron will be outside the museum with solar telescopes set up to teach people how to look at the solar eclipse safely. The family event, free with museum admission, will include the opportunity to watch a show inside the planetarium dome. There will also be concessions available for purchase.
On Monday, the day of the eclipse, programming will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but free tickets for the event have all been claimed. Highlights from the day include guest speakers Dave Eicher from Astronomy Magazine and astrophotographer Reeves. There will also be staff from Celestron on hand to help guests view the partial and total eclipse through solar telescopes, computerized telescopes and solar binoculars. At 2:45 p.m., the museum will do a raffle, giving away three copies of Robert Reeves’ book, Exploring the Moon; three Celestron FirstScope Signature Series Moon by Robert Reeves tabletop telescopes, and one Celestron NexStar Evolution 8 telescope. Raffle entry instructions will be provided upon check-in.
During the day, the Weather Channel’s Alex Wilson will be broadcasting live from museum grounds, reporting on weather conditions leading into the eclipse, Celestron’s telescope set-up and the festivities at Frontiers of Flight Museum. Rounding out the action will be games that are both educational and fun for all ages, children’s activities, merch and food trucks and other concessions.
Frontiers of Flight Museum will also provide registered attendees with solar eclipse glasses, which allow wearers to view the eclipse without damaging their vision, while supplies last.
“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 Frontiers of Flight Museum President and CEO Abigail Erickson Torres. “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.”
Frontiers of Flight has created an expansive eclipse resource guide, with activities and experiments families can use as they teach children about this solar phenomenon.
Partners supporting the event include Celestron, a top manufacturer of telescopes; Astronomy Magazine; The Weather Channel, which will live-stream the event to approximately 30,000 participants around the country; and the neighboring Dallas Love Field.
NOTE: Experts from Celestron, Astronomy Magazine, and the Weather Channel will be available for advance interviews as well as interviews on the day of the eclipse.
EVENT INFORMATION
(Sun)day
When: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 7
2 p.m. Robert Reeves presentation, auditorium
3 p.m. Jayme Sandberg presentation
Where: Frontiers of Flight Museum, 6911 Lemmon Ave., Dallas
Tickets: $12 adults, $10 seniors 65 and older, $9 youth 3-17, free kids 2 and younger
Information: flightmuseum.com
Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Event
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, April 8
11 a.m. Dave Eicher presentation, auditorium
12:23 p.m. Start of partial eclipse
1:40 p.m. Start of total eclipse
1:42 p.m. Maximum eclipse
1:44 p.m. End of total eclipse
2 p.m. Robert Reeves presentation, auditorium
3:02 p.m. End of partial eclipse
Where: Frontiers of Flight Museum, 6911 Lemmon Ave., Dallas
Tickets: Sold out
Information: flightmuseum.com
This sounds like an incredible event! The Frontiers of Flight Museum has truly outdone themselves with this comprehensive lineup. From expert talks and educational activities to hands-on telescope experiences, it promises to be an unforgettable experience for all ages. Kudos to the museum and its partners for making this historic eclipse accessible and exciting for the community