Spotlight is on: NASA to broadcast live from Balloon Fiesta during annular solar eclipse

Kelly Korreck’s job is to study the sun.

When there’s an annular solar eclipse, she’s going to be there.

Korreck is the NASA program scientist who serves as head of science operations and project manager for the Solar Wind Electrons Alphas and Protons, or SWEAP, investigation.

SWEAP is one of four instrument suites aboard Parker Solar Probe. SWEAP includes a cup that sits outside the spacecraft’s heatshield to scoop up some of the sun’s plasma.

When the eclipse begins on Saturday, Oct. 14, Korreck and her team will be on the ground at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

“We are very excited,” Korreck says. “NASA has been involved with Balloon Fiesta in the past. This year is so special because this is a natural phenomenon.”

In addition to launching and watching more than 500 hot air balloons in its mass ascensions, the annular solar eclipse will start becoming visible in the midst of the scheduled signature mass ascension at 9:13 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14.

New Mexico is one of eight states in the path of the solar eclipse, to have a view of the “ring of fire,” a rare phenomenon where the moon does not fully cover the sun, leaving a thin outer ring visible, making Balloon Fiesta Park a prime location to view the eclipse’s totality.

Spotlight is on: NASA to broadcast live from Balloon Fiesta during annular solar eclipse

Beginning at 9:13 a.m., the partial eclipse will continue progressing into the annularity eclipse of the ring of fire at 10:34 a.m. The ring of fire will burn for about 4 minutes and 50 seconds. The annular eclipse will end at 10:39 a.m. and the partial eclipse at 12:09 p.m.

In celebration of the eclipse, Balloon Fiesta guests will be able to enjoy a scheduled mass ascension followed by an “eclipse glow.” The eclipse glow will feature balloons glowing on the launch field in the darkness from the eclipse.

“Experiencing the International Balloon Fiesta and annular solar eclipse in Albuquerque together will be the event of a lifetime,” says Sam Parks, Balloon Fiesta executive director. “We are working closely with experts from NASA to make sure our guests can get the most out of our New Mexico skies in October.”

NASA will have a presence throughout the Balloon Fiesta and will be giving away 80,000 solar eclipse viewing glasses for all guests coming in that morning to enjoy the galactic event. Along with viewing glasses being provided, the tent will include NASA experts offering engaging presentations, exhibits and more about the eclipse and their mission.

In addition to live-streaming the eclipse, NASA officials will also be sending three rockets into the Earth’s atmosphere during the eclipse.

The rockets will be launched before, during and after the eclipse from White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico.

“These are great rocket experiments and our focus is the sun and the moon,” Korreck says. “We are looking at the earth’s reaction to the sudden on/off of daylight.”

Korreck’s team will be looking at the temperature and density of it all.

“I love sharing the excitement and the wonder of the universe with other people,” she says. “I’m looking forward to what our time in Albuquerque can teach us about the sun and the sky.”