Witness a Solar Eclipse and Rocket Launches on Virginia’s Eastern Shore!
Calling all space enthusiasts and eclipse chasers! This April 8th, Virginia’s Eastern Shore offers a unique celestial spectacle – a partial solar eclipse happening alongside the launch of three NASA sounding rockets! Here’s your one-stop guide to experiencing this out-of-this-world event.
Planning Your Trip
With so much happening, you’re going to want to make a vacation out of this! Virginia’s Eastern Shore, home to NASA Wallops Flight Facility, is your base camp. Accommodations on Chincoteague are super convenient, but other towns on the Shore are just a short drive from the Island, so you have many options! Check out https://visitesva.com/places-to-stay/ to find the best fit for you!
Travel
The Eastern Shore is a quick drive by car from major cities like Virginia Beach (2.5 hours) or Washington D.C. (4 hours). Public transportation options are limited, so if you are flying in, definitely plan to rent a vehicle during your stay!
You can view the eclipse and three rocket launches from the NASA Wallops Visitor Center! Plan to arrive early because the parking lot will fill up and remember that all vehicles must fit within a standard parking space, as no oversize vehicles will be allowed.
Three sounding rockets will be launched during the eclipse, one at approximately 2:40pm, one during the eclipse maximum at 3:22pm, and one at approximately 4:05pm. These timeframes will give scientists the opportunity to study the different eclipse phases as a part of the Atmospheric Perturbations around Eclipse Path (APEP) mission. Read more about it here!
View the Eclipse Safely
Safety first! Looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can permanently damage your eyes. Here’s how to view this celestial wonder safely:
Use Certified Eclipse Glasses: These specially filtered glasses are the only safe way to look directly at the eclipse. Get them from reputable vendors and ensure they comply with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard.
NASA Wallops Visitor Center: The Visitor Center will offer safe viewing with specialized equipment and expert guidance for safely enjoying this historic event!
Space Research During a Solar Eclipse
This eclipse presents a rare opportunity for NASA! Here’s why:
The APEP Mission: The three sounding rockets launched during the eclipse are part of the Atmospheric Perturbations around Eclipse Path (APEP) Mission. They’ll gather data on how the eclipse affects Earth’s ionosphere, the layer of the atmosphere that interacts with radio signals.
Unique Observations: A solar eclipse creates a temporary “hole” in the sun’s atmosphere, allowing scientists to study the usually hidden layers beneath. This provides valuable insights into our sun’s behavior.
Benefits for All: Understanding the ionosphere’s behavior during eclipses helps improve communication technologies like GPS, cell phones, and radio waves.
Witnessing a solar eclipse alongside rocket launches is a chance to be part of groundbreaking scientific discovery. Prepare for an unforgettable experience on Virginia’s Eastern Shore!
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