Last October, Trinity University invited its campus and local community to experience the annular solar eclipse with a series of eclipse-related events dubbed Space Week. From April 2-8, the University is totally ready to host another Space Week for the total solar eclipse on April 8, which will pass directly through Texas.
While during the annular solar eclipse, we could see a bright “ring of fire” around the Moon, during the total solar eclipse, the Moon will completely block the face of the sun, resulting in the sky appearing dark as if it were dawn or dusk. A total solar eclipse won’t be visible from the contiguous United States again until 2044.
To commemorate this rare phenomenon, Trinity will provide students, faculty, staff, and its local community with an educational and space-focused lineup that honors the human-space relationship.
Space Week will kick off on April 2 with a panel discussion between Jim Perschbach, CEO of the Port of San Antonio, and Sam Ximenes, CEO of Astroport Space Technologies, about "San Antonio’s Global Role Harnessing the Promise of Space.” On April 4, Ellen Stofan, Ph.D., Under Secretary for Science and Research at the Smithsonian Institution, will give the Distinguished Scientist Lecture on “Sustaining Earth from Space” and how data from space is critical to the conservation effort here on Earth. Space Week will wrap up on April 8 with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch the total solar eclipse. Trinity is providing its internal community with the unique and engaging opportunity to attend an eclipse viewing party at Knibbe Ranch, located directly in the path of totality.
Can't make it to the ranch? Join us at the Miller Fountain for a livestream from the National Science Foundation feed from noon to 2:35 p.m. If the weather does not permit, you can watch the livestream in multiple spaces on campus: Northrup 040, 152, or Dicke Hall 108. For questions, you can contact Leslie Bleamaster at lbleamas@trinity.edu.
Mark your calendar for these Space Week events:
“San Antonio’s Global Role Harnessing the Promise of Space”
Tuesday, April 2 | 5:30 p.m. | Dicke Hall 104
Jim Perschbach, CEO of the Port of San Antonio, and Sam Ximenes, CEO of Astroport Space Technologies, will have a panel discussion on “San Antonio’s Global Role Harnessing the Promise of Space.” Ximenes is a space architect with more than 30 years of experience in the aerospace industry with NASA, DoD, and international space programs. Through Perschbach’s leadership at the Port of San Antonio, the Tech Port innovation campus has become a nationally important destination for advanced technologies, including aerospace, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure resiliency, defense, manufacturing, and global trade. Together, they will discuss exciting programs right here in San Antonio that will play an important role in harnessing the promise of space.
Distinguished Scientist Lecture, “Sustaining Earth From Space”
Thursday, April 4 | 7 p.m. | Laurie Auditorium
Ellen Stofan, Ph.D., Under Secretary for Science and Research at the Smithsonian Institution, will discuss current efforts to create a more sustainable planet and how space data are critical to the effort. Smithsonian scientists are at the forefront of conservation research, tying ground-based observations to critical observations from space. Come learn about the Smithsonian’s work monitoring real-time air pollution over the United States, tracking animal movement and vegetation in Africa, and more.
Trinity Eclipse, Total Enlightenment, Knibbe Ranch Eclipse Viewing Party
Monday, April 8 | 6 a.m.-5 p.m. | Knibbe Ranch
This event is only open to faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Trinity has reserved Knibbe Ranch for our internal community to get together and celebrate this viewing opportunity. Transportation will be provided to and from the event, and guests should meet at the Bell Center on campus before departure at 6 a.m.
Before the eclipse, guests can explore the ranch. At around 10:45 a.m., English professor Jenny Brown, MFA, will host an on-site workshop on how to write a poem in response to the eclipse. After the workshop, lunch will be provided. The eclipse viewing will begin at around 12:15, with totality occurring for roughly three minutes from 1:33-1:36 p.m. Guests will begin returning to Trinity at around 2 p.m. and are estimated to return around 5 p.m. Please be aware that this return time is only an estimate and is subject to change based on traffic or other delays.
This is a paid event, and tickets are limited. Guests must register and purchase their tickets at gotu.us/eclipse in order to attend. The cost is $10 for students and $30 for faculty, staff, and alumni.
For more information about Space Week events, visit events.trinity.edu.
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