From live streams of the eclipse in Mexico and Texas, to a rich website and app for eclipse resources, the Exploratorium has you covered!
SAN FRANCISCO (March 8, 2024) – Building on its history of bringing eclipses to the public since 1998, the Exploratorium is thrilled to offer another full lineup of live streams, educational programs and resources for this year’s total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.
The April eclipse will arc across Mexico, the United States, and Canada, and those in its 115-mile wide path of totality will experience one of nature’s most awe-inspiring phenomena when the Sun’s disc is completely covered by the moon. The Exploratorium was the first museum to webcast eclipse images directly from a telescope 25 years ago, and has since partnered with NASA on eclipse expeditions around the world, from Turkey and China to remote Zambia and Micronesia.
This year, the Exploratorium will be on-site in Junction, TX and Torreón, Mexico, where it will livestream stunning images of all phases of the solar eclipse beginning at 12:00 p.m. CDT, with totality set for 1:17 p.m. in Torreón and 1:32 p.m. in Junction. The Exploratorium will also live stream separate hour-long educational programs in English and Spanish featuring scientists from the Exploratorium, NASA, and local educators beginning at 12:45 p.m. CDT. The livestreams and educational program can be viewed on the Exploratorium’s YouTube channel and website, and will also be available for media outlets at the Switch Hubs in Los Angeles, New York, Miami and London. All livestreams are also available via direct downlink from commercial satellites. (Please contact us for coordinates).
“Total solar eclipses are awe-inspiring natural events, but not everyone gets a chance to see one in person, which is why we make such a big effort to help people experience them virtually,” said Rob Semper, Chief Learning Officer at the Exploratorium. “Sharing these extraordinary events and the celestial mechanics behind them is a wonderful part of our mission to make science accessible to everyone, everywhere.”
While San Francisco is not in the path of totality, the city will still experience a partial eclipse. The Exploratorium is hosting an eclipse watch party at Pier 15, where its live stream from Texas and Mexico will be screening throughout the museum. Educators will be on hand to engage guests in fun activities while learning about the science of eclipses and safe viewing techniques. Visitors will get a free pair of solar viewing glasses while supplies last.
The Exploratorium also launched a new eclipse website in English and Spanish last year that explores the science, history and popularity of eclipses, as well as a new mobile app, Total Solar Eclipse, available for iOS and Android users. Fun resources include a viewing guide for the eclipse, deep dives into NASA’s solar research projects, and a behind-the-scenes look at the Exploratorium’s eclipse expeditions over the past two decades. Educators will also enjoy eclipse-themed “Science Snacks” from the Exploratorium’s popular series of teacher-tested, hands-on activities for the classroom and beyond.
