NEWSLETTER
East Aurora, NY—A team of NASA/JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) Solar System Ambassadors and supporting scientists will be featured among the prolific range of eclipse programming at the Friends of Knox Farm EAclipse Celebration on Monday, April 8, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the historic stables area in Knox Farm State Park, East Aurora, NY.
From specialized solar-imaging telescopes to a timelapse video of the eclipse at Knox Farm State Park, the Solar System Ambassadors (SSAs) will provide attendees with enlightening expertise on the total solar eclipse and other astronomical mysteries, such as black holes, exoplanets (planets that orbit stars outside our solar system), and the search for signs of life in outer space.
The team of scientists are led by John Sojka Jr., a Department of Defense Space and Intelligence professional, a published Astro-Imager, and an accomplished public speaker. In 2010, Sojka was selected to image the plume on the moon generated by NASA's Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) mission. He also assisted the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in a deep-space imaging program.
In addition, the Friends’ EAclipse Committee Co-Chair Jody Valdes has been selected to be an Eclipse Soundscape Collector for the 2024 total solar eclipse. The Eclipse Soundscapes Project is a NASA Citizen Science project funded by NASA Science Activation that studies how eclipses affect life on Earth.
The EAclipse committee also announced live music guests for the EAclipse Celebration featuring popular regional artists FolkFaces performing their eclectic, energetic mix of honkytonk, bluegrass, folk, rock & roll, country blues, western swing, jumping jug band, and hot jazz. Festival favorites The Brass Machine “marching band” will also be featured at The EAclipse, bringing their spirited brand of New Orleans brass, R&B, and funk to the park.
Dr. John Newton, EAclipse Programming Committee Chair and Founder/Director of the Mandala School in East Aurora, NY, noted, “The eclipse programming and live music has a breadth and depth that will engage all ages. Having the added expertise of the NASA Solar System Ambassadors will make the EAclipse Celebration a phenomenal, memorable event.”
Tickets are on sale now for the Friends of Knox Farm State Park EAclipse Celebration on Monday, April 8, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 each, children under the age of seven are free, parking is free, and safe eclipse viewers will be provided to ticket holders. All 30+ programming activities throughout the historic stables area will also be free to ticket holders.
The Friends also extend their deepest gratitude to the EAclipse sponsors who have made it possible to provide live music and outstanding programming and to keep ticket prices low. They include: Parks & Trails NY, Erie County, M&T, Moog, Freed Maxick, Hodgson Russ, National Fuel, Fox Run, Harter Secrest & Emery, NISSHA Medical Technologies, Bartsch’s Auto Service, Rotary Club of East Aurora, Limbic Studio, and Turn of the Century Designs & Signs.
To purchase tickets, visit: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjAxNzE3
To receive updates, sign up for the Friends’ newsletter at: www.friendsofknoxfarm.org/.
About The Friends of Knox Farm State Park:
The Friends of Knox Farm State Park, Inc., is a not-for-profit corporation. Our primary mission is to preserve and promote the unique character and historic beauty of Knox Farm State Park for the community and for generations to come. We work under a partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.
For additional information, please visit:
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/ambassadors/2144/
https://eclipsesoundscapes.org/#about
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Contact:
Kathleen York
Executive Director, Friends of Knox Farm State Park
716-805-7205 | admin@friendsofknoxfarm.org