The Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education is partnering with NASA scientists to host a solar eclipse event on April 8 in Broken Bow.
The eclipse’s totality lasts from 1:45-1:50 p.m., within the broader range of 12:25-3 p.m.
The event is open to the public, with eclipse glasses provided.
Attendees can engage in STEM activities while researchers conduct a full-scale balloon flight campaign in preparation.
At sites along the eclipse path, Oklahoma State University student teams in the engineering track use innovative larger balloon systems to livestream video to the NASA eclipse website, observe in situ perturbations in atmospheric phenomena, and conduct individually designed experiments.
Atmospheric science track teams make frequent observations by launching hourly radiosondes on helium-filled weather balloons.
Student participants work with atmospheric science experts throughout the project.
WHAT: During the weekend of April 8, OAIRE will conduct a flight campaign in southeastern Oklahoma to improve weather forecasting models during the solar eclipse. Balloon launches for enhanced data collection will occur overnight. Additionally, activities for the general public will be available during the event.
WHEN: Flight campaigns will happen April 6-8, the solar eclipse will occur April 8.
WHERE: Choctaw Nation Community Center 1346 E. Martin Luther King Dr., Broken Bow, OK 74728 DETAILS: NASA scientists from Goddard Space Flight Center will join OAIRE researchers to observe the eclipse, reaching totality at 1:45- 1:50 p.m. NASA Scientists and OAIRE researchers will be available throughout the weekend April 6-8 from 1-4 p.m. This will be the first full total eclipse to cross the United States since 2017.
