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This weekend stargazers of all ages have the chance to stare into the sun without putting an eye out. On Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science (1801 Mountain Rd. NW), Parker Punch-Palooza lets visitors experience two NASA solar missions with hands-on activities and presentations from researchers involved with the projects. At 1 p.m. scope a couple of explosive planetarium shows exploring the NASA Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) and Parker Solar Probe missions. Both shows include talks by scientists associated with the space exploration adventures and are included with the price of regular museum admission.
On Dec. 24, 2024 the Parker Solar Probe became the first to fly through the sun’s outer atmosphere or corona. The NASA PUNCH mission sent four small satellites to orbit Earth to monitor solar winds and other “space weather.”
The event includes demos from local teachers involved with Johns Hopkins space exploration programs, info tables, handouts and giveaways. Parker Solar Probe Science Team Members Dr. E.K. “Manolis” Georgoulis and John Wirzburger will be joined by solar researcher and PUNCH Team member Dr. Chris Lowder to give presentations about their cosmic endeavors. Lowder is a specialist on the sun’s corona and will illuminate curious minds with his talk entitled “Reading Sunlight.”
Parker Punch-Palooza is included in February sponsored attendance for Valencia County residents and Isleta Pueblo members, courtesy of Meta’s Los Lunas Data Center.
For more info about Saturday’s event and both NASA missions, click here.
Parker Punch-Palooza
Feb. 22, 10 a.m.
New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
1801 Mountain Rd. NW
$8