American Astronomical Society Releases Documentary The Path to the Path
in Advance of the Great North American Solar Eclipse on 8 April 2024
In celebration of the work that the American Astronomical Society (AAS) Solar Eclipse Task Force (eclipse.aas.org) has been doing for the past decade to prepare for the North American solar eclipses of 21 August 2017, 14 October 2023, and 8 April 2024, the AAS has released a 25-minute documentary entitled The Path to the Path - a reference to the path of the Moon’s dark shadow as it sweeps across Earth’s surface during a solar eclipse.
“With the help of NASA, the National Science Foundation, the American Institute of Physics, and many other partners, a large group of engaged volunteers has worked tirelessly to coordinate outreach efforts across the U.S. while sharing resources and ideas,” says Kevin Marvel, Executive Officer of the American Astronomical Society.
The dozens of volunteers comprise not only astronomers and other scientists, but also community organizers, artists, science educators, transportation experts, tourism leaders, members of the media, and dedicated eclipse chasers. The film documents the decade-long labor of love by task force organizers, members, and associates.
The documentary was the brainchild of AAS SETF co-chair Debra Ross, who joined Speck as co-chair of the task force in 2022 after having worked for years as a community leader for Rochester, New York’s solar eclipse task force.
“When I came on board as co-chair, I was amazed at the depth of commitment that had led this group to such astonishing accomplishments over the past decade, all with volunteer effort,” says Ross. “This is an incredibly bonded group. But I also realized that the story was about to end, because there are no more major eclipses in the U.S. for 21 years. So we wanted to find a way to tell the story of the past decade, both to help inspire those who are about to experience the 2024 eclipse, and also to thank all of the people who worked so hard to make it a success.”
“The American Astronomical Society is happy to have played a small part in helping bring people together through our Solar Eclipse Task Force and very much thanks everyone who has been involved for working together and achieving so much,” says Marvel. “We look forward to the April 8th eclipse and hope all Americans will have an opportunity to connect with the cosmos as our Moon covers the disc of our Sun.”
The Path to the Path can be viewed at thepathtothepath.org. It is available for free noncommercial use by those preparing for the April 8th solar eclipse.
Contacts:
Susanna Kohler
AAS Communications Manager & Press Officer
+1 202-328-2010 x127
susanna.kohler@aas.org
Debra Ross
Co-Chair, AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force
585-305-6386
deb@kidsoutandabout.com
Angela Speck
Co-Chair, AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force
210-458-6954
angela.speck@utsa.edu
Ella Ross
Independent Filmmaker & Video Editor
esr4898@rit.edu
About the AAS
The American Astronomical Society (AAS, aas.org), established in 1899, is a major international organization of professional astronomers, astronomy educators, and amateur astronomers. Its membership of approximately 8,000 also includes physicists, geologists, engineers, and others whose interests lie within the broad spectrum of subjects now comprising the astronomical sciences. The mission of the AAS is to enhance and share humanity’s scientific understanding of the universe as a diverse and inclusive astronomical community, which it achieves through publishing, meetings, science advocacy, education and outreach, and training and professional development.
Негізгі бет Ғылым және технология The Path to the Path: The work of the AAS's Solar Eclipse Task Force
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