2024 BMPL Solar Eclipse Series – – Guest Speakers
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
at 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Batesville Library Meeting Room
The Experience of Totality: First Eclipse Experiences with author Dr. Kate Russo
Program Description: Dr. Kate Russo is an author, psychologist, and eclipse chaser; and Founder of Being in the Shadow. Kate has now seen 13 total solar eclipses from 11 countries in her 24 years of chasing, and will be an eclipse chaser for life. She has published three books on the experience of totality, leads niche eclipse tours, and is in demand in the media and as a speaker due to her passionate sharing of the awe and wonder of totality. She also plays a leadership role in helping communities prepare for totality. In her presentation, Kate will share her insights and advice on preparing for your first-time total eclipse experience.
HERE ARE SOME LINKS THAT DR. KATE RUSSO SHARED WITH US! CHECK THEM OUT!
Thursday, February 22, 2024
From 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Batesville Memorial Public Library
The Drake Planetarium & Science Center’s Traveling Planetarium at BMPL
What is a planetarium?
The Drake Planetarium & Science Center’s Traveling Explorer Show comes directly to you. This program is the perfect way to provide you and your family with a truly immersive experience by presenting with sights and sounds at every angle. Drake Planetarium & Science Center will have their state-of-the-art, inflatable Explorer Dome at BMPL.
Our Explorer Domes provide the perfect atmosphere for teaching and lively discussions that support learning in science, technology, engineering, and math. You bring the thirst for knowledge and we’ll give you outstanding instruction, innovative lessons, and a valuable experience.
PLEASE NOTE: YOU NEED TO REGISTER EACH PERSON FOR THIS PROGRAM on our PROGRAMS + EVENTS PAGE
PLEASE SIGN UP WITH YOUR FAMILY’S LAST NAME AND THEN ENTER THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT WILL ENTER THE PLANETARIUM. Each time slot is for a 30 minute presentation session. We recommend for ages 1st grade through adult.
The dome will hold 25 people.
Thursday, February 22, 2024
at 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Batesville Library Meeting Room
Sun Moon Earth: The History of Solar Eclipses from Omens of Doom to Einstein and Exoplanets with Author Tyler Nordgren
A solar eclipse is an awe inspiring event that throughout history has caused dread, foretold the fall of kingdoms, and stopped armies in their tracks. In a clockwork heaven it is something both predictable, yet rare, natural, yet utterly foreign to our everyday experiences. From eclipses of the sun and moon we have measured the size of the moon, shape of the Earth, and mapped out the world. Today, they are no longer omens of doom, but tourist attractions that thrill millions where they occur in an event both interplanetary, yet deeply personal. They are the moment the sun and moon align with you!
Monday, March 4, 2024 (KIDS TALK)
at 4:30 pm – 5:15 pm
Batesville Library Meeting Room
Kids Totality Talk with Mark Littman
Join Mark Littman as he answers questions kiddos may have about the upcoming eclipse. We would recommend ages 1st – 8th grade. Mark Littman has written one of the most popular books for laypeople about the total eclipse. He is an expert in all things eclipse and can discuss the phases of an eclipse.
Monday, March 4, 2024 (ADULT TALK)
at 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Batesville Library Meeting Room
Totality: The Great North American Eclipse of 2024 with Mark Littman
This talk is based on Mark Littman’s comprehensive book about eclipses of the same name. You will learn about solar eclipses, especially total eclipses, featuring the upcoming eclipse. The talk includes not only the science of eclipses (in terms everyone can understand) but also the mythology and folklore of eclipses, how humans have reacted to them in the past, what we have learned from eclipses, and how to observe a solar eclipse safely and most enjoyably.
Mark Littmann teaches science writing at the University of Tennessee, holding three distinguished professorships. Mark received a B.S. in chemistry and literature at MIT, an M.A. in creative writing at Hollins College, and a Ph.D. in English at Northwestern University. Mark’s books about solar eclipses, giant meteor storms, Halley’s Comet, and the discovery of the outer planets have won four national awards. Mark’s plays include Halley and Newton, how Edmond Halley made Isaac Newton famous, and Little Lessons for Lina, about Caroline Herschel, the first woman professional astronomer. Before coming to the University of Tennessee in 1991, Mark taught astronomy at Loyola College in Maryland and the University of Utah. He directed the Hansen Planetarium in Salt Lake City from 1965 to 1983. He wrote and produced 35 planetarium programs, some still performed worldwide. The International Astronomical Union honored Mark by naming Asteroid 303265 after him.
Monday, March 18, 2024
at 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Batesville Library Meeting Room
Indiana Astronomical Society Eclipse Information with Steve Haines
Steve Haines is coming to us from the Indiana Astronomical Society and will talk about our specific region and safe viewing.
Monday, March 26, 27 & 28, 2024
at 9:00 am – 7:30 pm
Batesville Library Meeting Room
BMPL’S Star Lab (our version)
Getting excited for the eclipse? Come spend some time in BMPL’s own version of a Star Lab. It will be open Tuesday (March 26), Wednesday (March 27), and Thursday (March 28) all day and ready with SELF-GUIDED activities! (Recommended for grades 1st and up)
Thursday, April 4, 2024
at 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Batesville Library Meeting Room
Q & A with Ann P McMahon, Ph.D.
Ann P McMahon, Ph.D., will be our final guest speaker before the eclipse. She will cover a variety of topics as well as field any remaining questions you may have. Questions will be accepted during the presentation, but they can also be emailed in advance to rachael@ebatesville.com.
Thursday, April 4, 2024 (grades 1st – 6th)
at 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm
Batesville Library Activity Lab
Create a UV Beaded Keychain
Join us as we create a UV Beaded keychain. What is a UV bead? The beads contain pigments that react with ultraviolet light from the sun! Please register on our BMPL Programs + Events page to save your kiddos spot. This program is for grades 1st – 6th.
Sunday, April 7, 2024
at 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Bill Gillespie Soccer Park (922 Delaware Rd, Batesville, IN 47006)
Batesville Blackout Bash
The City of Batesville, in collaboration with the Batesville Memorial Public Library, the Batesville Area Arts Council, Kids Discovery Factory, Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Batesville Main Street, Batesville Kiwanis & Kiwanis Student Leadership Academy, Batesville Beautification League, Cindy Weisenbach along with BIS students, Batesville Historical Center, Mayor’s Youth Council, Ripley County Tourism, and Genesis: Pathways to Success, will present exciting and engaging experiences on Sunday, April 7th!
This free event is open to the public and will feature local live entertainment, artisan vendors, food trucks, Batesville Soccer Club concessions, and a Kids Space Place. Event attendees are encouraged to use alternative methods of transportation to reduce road traffic congestion. Please note Pohlman Street, from Delaware Road to Coonhunters Road, will be closed to thru traffic. Both parking lots located on that road will be open.
Batesville Memorial Public Library will be on site with a mock eclipse activity for children as well as Sidewalk Science Center (Sarasota, FL). The Sidewalk Science Center will have SSC astronomers that will provide 5 telescopes for viewing the Sun. Two of the telescopes are motorized and can track the Sun! Their Hydrogen-Alpha spectrum telescope allows views of solar prominences and flares from the Sun. They will also have tabletop Sunspotters that have a projection screen that multiple people can view at the same time, showing a live image of the Sun!
On Monday, April 8th, the total solar eclipse will take place at approx. 3:07 pm, lasting approximately 4 minutes. The Bill Gillespie Soccer Complex has been identified as a designated viewing area.
The area will be open to the public at 8:00 am. Bring your own picnic or purchase at the Knights of Columbus, Soccer Club Concessions or one of the many food trucks. Portable restroom facilities will be onsite. Free parking will be available at all locations surrounding the complex, including the Knights of Columbus. Please be courteous by disposing of your trash. No camping, staking tents, or mobile RV, charter bus parking is permitted.
This information is brought to you buy the City of Batesville, IN
You can also find events happening throughout Ripley County through the Ripley County Tourism Website at https://ripleycountytourism.com/solar-eclipse/