Four NASA/NOAA Scientists, Experts to Meet Public In Hot Springs, Give Presentations About Total Solar Eclipse On April 4 in Special Bridge Street Live Event
HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — Four NASA and NOAA scientists will meet with the public and make special presentations in Hot Springs’ Bridge Street Entertainment District on April 4 in advance of the April 8 total solar eclipse that finds the city in the path of totality.
In addition to the presentations there will be be free eclipse eyeglasses and giveaways and swag as well as up-close and personal visits with the entire team of nine scientists and experts from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who will be in town for studies and public presentations. Hot Springs National Park is one of two national parks that will be in the path of totality during the April 8 eclipse.
A free public concert by blues artist Nikki Hill will be featured at the April 4 Bridge Street Live celebration.
The four NASA/NOAA scientists greeting the public on Bridge Street are: Dr. Irfan Azeem, chief of the Science and Engineering Division within the office of Space Weather Observations at NOAA; Jimmy Acevedo, who manages public outreach and an intern program for the Space Communications and Navigation program office; Julie Hoover, senior communication and STEM Engagement Specialist for the NASA Office of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Observations and NOAA and NASA’s Joint Polar Satellite System program; and Kristen Weaver, deputy coordinator for GLOBE Observer, the app of the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program.
The Bridge Street Live event will begin at 5 p.m. with all nine NASA/NOAA scientists meeting with the public and handing out free eclipse glasses, giveaways and swag under the Bridge Street Live tent.
All subsequent presentations will be limited to 100 people each (first come, first served).
- At 6 p.m., Jimmy Acevedo will talk about The Invisible Network: Bridging Earth and Space and discuss how to join the Space Communications and Navigation program office to learn about laser communications, a global network of radio antennas, and NASA's role in search and rescue. The presentation also includes information about careers and internships with NASA, with opportunities for continued discussions afterwards.
- At 7 p.m. Dr. Irfan Azeem will talk about Solar Eclipse: Nature's Weather Experiment.
- At 8 p.m., Kristen Weaver and Julie Hoover will discuss Effects of the Eclipse on Earth.
“Visit Hot Springs and the National Park Service are thrilled that NASA and NOAA have selected Hot Springs National Park as their location to not only study, but also to teach our residents and visitors about the upcoming eclipse,” Visit Hot Springs Marketing Director Bill Solleder said. “NASA's participation in our eclipse weekend kickoff party on Bridge Street will add a fascinating activity to the music, food, art, performance already planned for Bridge Street Live. I can't wait,”
Ashley N. Waymouth, interpretation programs manager for Hot Springs National Park, said, “The total solar eclipse is sure to be a phenomenal and memorable event for all of us in Hot Springs. As one of two national parks in the path of totality, Hot Springs National Park is looking forward to welcoming visitors to the park to enjoy and view the eclipse.”
For more information call Bill Solleder at 501-321-2027.