Eclipse 2024

Come Join Us at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

We will be at the Indianapolis Motor Speed way on April 8th, 2024 for the total solar eclipse. This will be a once in a lifetime experience. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway in partnership with Purdue University and NASA will be hosting an event to see the eclipse, hear live educational talks, and an IndyCar demo. During this event, NSE will be launching two high altitude weather balloons, with one of them carrying student experiments from the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. We also will be participating in the STEM Symposium and will have a booth with interactive educational activities. Our partnership with Tactile Engineering will allow visually impaired individuals to "feel" both the data being transmitted from the balloon as well as the progression of the eclipse. If you are a blind or visually impaired person interested in attending the event, you can register at https://www.tactile-engineering.com/eclipse. 

See More Info About the IMS Event

Image of a solar eclipse

Can't Make it to the Speedway? Check Out Our Other Locations

We will also be at events across the state launching high-altitude balloons. If you can't make it to Indianapolis, these events might interest you.

Locations:

What Is a Solar Eclipse?

A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and the Earth, blocking out the Sun's light completely or partially from certain areas on Earth. On April 8th, the eclipse will begin as the Moon moves in front of the Sun, gradually covering it until it completely obscures the Sun for a brief period, creating a temporary twilight-like darkness in the path of totality. During totality, the Sun's corona—the outer atmosphere—becomes visible as a glowing halo around the darkened disk of the Moon. Outside the path of totality, observers will witness a partial solar eclipse, where only a portion of the Sun is blocked by the Moon. It's essential to use proper eye protection or indirect viewing methods to observe the eclipse safely. To learn more about solar eclipses, check out this great video from National Geographic.