Thousands Expected for Full Day of Fun, Science during Total Solar Eclipse at IMS
April 03, 2024 | By Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Don’t Be Left in the Dark: Arrive Early for Full Experience
With 35,000 to 50,000 spectators expected to attend the Total Solar Eclipse Event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway presented by Purdue University on Monday, April 8, guests are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy a wide array of exhibits, experiments, panel-led discussions, demonstrations and photo opportunities.
Tickets have been purchased from 49 states, the District of Columbia and more than 25 other countries and territories, including Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, England, France, Germany, Greenland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Northern Ireland, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
There’s no better place to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience than at the Racing Capital of the World.
NASA TV Live Broadcast
The IMS Total Solar Eclipse Event presented by Purdue University has been designated one of several official broadcast sites for NASA TV’s coverage of the astronomical phenomenon.
Special Guests
Among the guests expected in attendance are members of Indiana’s congressional delegation, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, and Mark and Rick Armstrong, the sons of Purdue graduate and first man on the moon Neil Armstrong.
Multiple astronauts and NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers also will be in attendance. Drivers and astronauts will be featured throughout the day as subject matter experts, as well as participating in an autograph session to conclude the day’s events.
Programming
Two educational programming tracks will run concurrently. The Sun Track will be more technical in nature. The Moon Track is tailored for youth and families. All programming will feature experts from NASA, Purdue University and INDYCAR.
On-Track Action
At the start of the NASA TV global broadcast, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will be on full display for spectators. Three-time Indianapolis 500 pole winner Ed Carpenter will turn a handful of demonstration laps of the 2.5-mile oval in an Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet INDYCAR SERIES car just before the start of the Total Solar Eclipse sequence.
Once the demonstration laps conclude, guests will be invited to the frontstretch of the famed oval, where they can experience the total solar eclipse.
Educational Exhibits
NASA will have more than a dozen educational exhibits with which attendees can interact. Faculty, students and subject matter experts from Purdue University, Indiana Space Grant Consortium and NearSpace Education also will offer exhibits, booths, demonstrations and displays, available throughout the day in IMS’ Trackside Garages, turned Exhibit Hall.
Exhibits include:
- Artemis Human Landing Program
- With the Artemis campaign, NASA is using innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before. The exhibit includes Artemis II Astro Cut Outs, tabletop models, a docking simulator and an inflatable dome.
- Rockets to Racecars
- There are many parallels between the technology used on the track and in space. This display highlights those similarities with model cars, tires, a shuttle nose and mannequins with cooling gear and fire suits.
- RS-25 Engine
- The RS-25 powered the space shuttle for over three decades and completed 135 missions. It is one of the most tested large rocket engines in history. Guests can enjoy a tabletop model, view an actual RS-25 engine and test the engine using virtual reality.
In addition, attendees can take photos with the Borg-Warner Trophy, Visit Indy’s _NDY Sculpture and an eclipse-themed INDYCAR SERIES race car.
Schedule (all times ET)
9 a.m.: Gates open; Gates 2, 3 and 6
10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Educational programming
1 p.m.: NASA broadcast begins
1:10 p.m.: Opening ceremonies
1:35 p.m.: INDYCAR SERIES demo laps
1:50:34 p.m.: Solar eclipse begins with partial
2:15 p.m.: Frontstretch of oval track opens for guest viewing
3:06:04 p.m.: Totality begins
3:07:59 p.m.: Max totality
3:09:54 p.m.: Totality ends
3:25 p.m.: Closing ceremonies
3:30 p.m.: Astronaut and driver autograph session
4 p.m.: Gates close
4:23:13 p.m.: Partial ends
4:30 p.m.: NASA broadcast concludes
The Greatest Spectacles
Eclipse viewing glasses, named “The Greatest Spectacles,” will be complimentary and made available to all guests upon entry.
Visit IMS.com to purchase tickets for the Total Solar Eclipse Event presented by Purdue University.