Pinhead: 2 Free Events for Solar Eclipse, Including “The Farthest”

16 Aug Pinhead: 2 Free Events for Solar Eclipse, Including “The Farthest”

Please scroll down to watch the trailer for “The Farthest.”

As America gears up to watch the first total solar eclipse visible across the continental United States in nearly 40 years, on Sunday and Monday, August 20 and 21, the local non-profit, Telluride’s Pinhead Institute, a Smithsonian Affiilate, hosts two free community events in celebration of the much-anticipated, momentous occasion.

The first is an advance screening of “The Farthest – Voyager in Space” at the Sheridan Opera House takes place at 6:30 p.m. on eclipse eve, Sunday, August 20. The screening marks a partnership with Rocky Mountain PBS to show the two-hour special before it premiers on PBS channels across the country in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the first Voyager launch.

“We love the idea of showing ‘The Farthest’ on the actual 40th anniversary of the first launch of Voyager, and we’re thrilled that Rocky Mountain PBS is partnering with us, as well as HHMI, to support the free screening. Also, Telluride is extraordinarily gifted with residents associated with the Space Program, and we’re thrilled to be bringing a former astronaut to the screening for some special remarks,” said Pinhead executive director Sarah Holbrooke.” And since we’re offering a Solar Eclipse Camp spanning the weekend of the screening, our local youth will also be presenting a preview of the eclipse, on stage at the Opera House. It’s going to be a great experience for the entire community!”

The film, made with the participation of more than 20 of the original and current mission scientists, engineers and team members, tells the story of NASA’s historic Voyager mission to explore our solar system and beyond. Voyager revolutionized planetary science, resolved key questions about the outer planets, and raised intriguing new ones about the evolution of our solar system.

The following morning, Monday, August 21, Pinhead hosts a free solar eclipse viewing party at Telluride’s Elks Park from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. The party will be led by campers enrolled in Pinhead’s sold-out Mini Mission: Solar Eclipse Camp, who will be on hand to share what they have learned, answer eclipse-related questions and help with other eclipse-related activities.

‘In preparation for Monday’s eclipse, we are going to spend the weekend learning about the power of the sun, the mechanics of our solar system, and preparing for the eclipse viewing,” said Pinhead program director Jessica Tennenbaum. “Our campers are going to be the instructors at our eclipse party, and people joining us at Elks Park will be in for real a treat.”

The first 75 families (one pair per family) who show up at Elks Park will receive a free pair of international safety standard-compliant glasses with which they will be able to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun.

“Pinhead collaborates with the education partners of NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and, through them, we ordered solar eclipse viewing glasses to keep everyone’s eyeballs safe. We have 75 pairs to share with the crowd; kids get priority of course. One per family if we have to share,” said Holbrooke.

Because Telluride lies south of the total eclipse path, viewers here can expect to see the moon’s shadow covering approximately 83 percent of the sun during maximum eclipse at 11:41:53 a.m.

“The last total solar eclipse that spanned the entire US was 100 years ago! It’s amazing that it’s happening again and we want to make sure those staying in town have the best viewing experience possible. ‘The Farthest’ screening is one way to boost awareness and at the same time watch a really enjoyable film,” Holbrooke added.

The Pinhead Institute is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and Smithsonian Affiliate based in Telluride, Colorado that educates and inspires children and adults in the greater Telluride region about the wonders of science and technology through engaging programs, direct interaction with scientists, and unique research-centered internship experiences. To learn more visit: www.pinheadinstitute.org or call 970-369-5190.