NYPA Press Release

NASA Scientists to Provide Pre-Eclipse Educational Programming at the Niagara Power Vista Between April 4 and April 7

Pre-Eclipse Programming Concludes Ahead of Viewing Event on April 8 at

Niagara Falls State Park

Canadian Space Agency Astronaut to Visit Niagara Power Vista on April 7

LEWISTON—The New York Power Authority (NYPA) will host scientists and experts from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and an astronaut from the Canadian Space Agency at the Niagara Power Vista for free pre-eclipse educational programming between April 4 and April 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., leading up to the 2024 total solar eclipse on April 8.

“It is the Power Authority’s distinct pleasure to host NASA experts at the Niagara Power Vista to help educate visiting tourists, Western New Yorkers and their families about the solar eclipse that will be visible throughout New York State on April 8,” said NYPA Western New York Regional Manager Jairo Florez. “NYPA is collaborating with its state and federal partners to arm Western New Yorkers with information and solar eclipse glasses to best experience this once in a lifetime event.”

“NASA is thrilled to be in a place as magical as Niagara Falls for this awe-inspiring event,” said Janet Petro, director of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. “Besides being beautiful to witness, this total solar eclipse will allow scientists a rare opportunity to study the sun’s corona, expanding our knowledge of the Sun-Earth connection and its impact on our planet. I hope you’ll grab your eclipse glasses—and a few friends—and join us for some of the events we have planned to celebrate this unique occasion.”

Reservations for the NASA programming, including NASA-sponsored engineering activities on April 6 and April 7 can be made by visiting the Power Vista’s webpage or by calling 716-286-6661. Any changes to the programming schedule will be published on the visitors center’s website.

The pre-eclipse programming schedule at the Niagara Power Vista is as follows:

April 4 (Thursday)

11 a.m.: NASA Mission Design Engineer Benjamin Asher delivers remarks. Asher’s work supports NASA’s Deep Space Logistics project. He has supported various missions throughout his career and is looking forward to supporting the Artemis missions, which will establish a regular human presence around the moon.

2 p.m.: NASA Gateway Deep Logistics Studies Manager Bianca Rhym delivers remarks. Rhym is working on the NASA Gateway project, which will be an outpost orbiting the moon that provides vital support for human explorers in the lunar vicinity, as well as a staging point for deep space exploration.

April 5 (Friday)

11 a.m.: NASA Management and Program Analyst Hunter Goodenow delivers remarks. Goodenow has worked at the Kennedy Space Center for six years, with a career spanning two programs and multiple analyst roles.

2 p.m.: NASA Launch Operations Manager Patrick Renna delivers remarks. Renna is an aerospace professional who has spent the last 16 years supporting 65 launch campaigns. He currently works at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on the Europa Clipper mission, which will launch in October 2024 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 Heavy rocket traveling to Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons.

April 6 (Saturday)

11 a.m.: NASA Launch Site Integration Engineer Josia Ruelas, who works at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, delivers remarks.

12 p.m.: Interactive engineering activities with a NASA youth activity coordinator.

2 p.m.: NASA Mission Design Engineer Benjamin Asher delivers remarks.

April 7 (Sunday)

11 a.m.: NASA Program Executive, Heliophysics Division, David Cheney delivers remarks.

12 p.m.: Interactive engineering activities with a NASA youth activity coordinator.

2 p.m.: NASA Launch Site Integration Engineer Josia Ruelas delivers remarks.

Additionally, Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Jeremy Hansen, who is expected to circle the moon in 2025 as a mission specialist on the Artemis II flight, will visit for a formal 1hour long presentation the following locations:

1. SUNY Niagara County Community College – Central Campus, April 6th 11am- 12pm
2. Niagara Falls High School, Performing Art Center, April 6th 2:30pm -3:30pm
3. Buffalo Museum of Science, April 7th 10:30 am – 11:30 am
4. Niagara Parks, Canada
5. Niagara Parks, Canada

The Niagara Power Vista is one of several community locations providing NASA-coordinated pre-eclipse programming. The pre-eclipse programs will conclude with a viewing event at Niagara Falls State Park, during which NASA—in collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency—will provide live eclipse coverage, meet-and-greets with members of the space organizations, and host various exhibits. The event is free and open to the public.

The public will be able to obtain free NASA-approved eclipse glasses while supplies last at the Niagara Power Vista. Guests can watch a NASA-distributed safety video at the visitors center or by visiting this webpage . Safety videos will play in the Niagara Power Vista classroom daily. Seats will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis, or by reservation.

Other community sites include Niagara Falls Public Libraries, Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, Aquarium of Niagara, Niagara Falls Culinary Institute and Niagara Falls state park, where NASA will locate for a viewing event ending with fireworks display on Old Falls Street. For more information on the pre-eclipse and eclipse viewing at Niagara Falls State Park, visit 2024 Solar Eclipse | Niagara Falls USA and this State Parks webpage.

During the eclipse, it is especially unsafe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection and can result in serious injury. The partial phases of the solar eclipse can only be safely observed directly with specialized eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer—regular sunglasses are not a safe replacement.

A limited quantity of I LOVE NY eclipse glasses will be available beginning today at locations throughout the state, including New York State Welcome Centers and select service areas along the New York State Thruway (at the Applegreen C-Stores). A full list of locations distributing I LOVE NY glasses, as well as other sources for eclipse glasses, are available here. Glasses will be limited to two pairs per person, while supplies last, with a limited amount distributed daily. The glasses were approved by the New York State Department of Health and carry an ISO certification.

Visitors at the Niagara Power Vista are encouraged to explore its array of multimedia exhibits, including hands-on interactive technologies, large touch screens, and a virtual rollercoaster relating to the production of electricity, energy efficiency and the area’s history. The location also provides unique views from the observation deck 350 feet above the Niagara River Gorge.

The Power Vista is located at 5777 Lewiston Road in Lewiston. Parking is free and will be available in the Power Vista parking lot and adjacent lots at Niagara University. The Niagara Power Vista is a stop on the Discover Niagara Shuttle’s Falls to the Fort route.

For more information on the festival, call (716) 286-6652, email npvista@nypa.gov or visit www.nypa.gov/niagarapowervista.

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About NYPA

NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn.