On Monday, more than 1,000 people gathered to experience the solar eclipse outside the Brownsville Public Library’s Southmost Branch.
During the event, 1,000 solar glasses, hot dogs and goody bags were provided on a first-come first-served basis.
Adalberto Guzman, the digital production manager for the City of Brownsville, said the event served two purposes.
“One of it is, of course, what everybody is here for, the solar eclipse,” Guzman said. “The second portion is our opening to our new institution, which is the Southmost Observatory. We got it set up to get everybody to view the solar eclipse.”
The observatory is designed to provide an immersive experience for Brownsville residents. With a focus on families, the observatory will bring the stars closer through programming and celestial viewing events. The observatory is intended to inspire the next generation of astronomers, engage children, young adults and their families through hands-on space exploration and to create a deeper and richer understanding of science, math, and technology, according to the Brownsville Public Library.
“There’s a whole astronomical program that will be happening,” Guzman said.
The library will host events, such as evening viewing of planets.
Former NASA astronaut and retired Air Force Col. Michael Fossum talks about his career during Monday’s solar eclipse viewing event at the Southmost Branch Library Observatory in Brownsville. As a veteran of three space flights and participant of seven spacewalks, Fossum encouraged the crowd to take advantage of the resources the Rio Grande Valley has to offer.
“It is the start of a new service that we are starting with the library,” he said.
Former NASA astronaut and special guest, retired U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Fossum cut the red ribbon to inaugurate the observatory.
“One of my favorite things to do while I was there [in the space shuttle] … was to enjoy some time looking out of the windows and it was so cool, especially at night and let me tell you, Brownsville stands out as a very bright light right here at the corner of the Valley,” Fossum said.
Fossum encourages students to work hard to achieve their dreams.
“The sky is not the limit,” he said. “You can do whatever you believe.”
Fossum was a systems engineer on several projects at NASA before serving the Astronaut Office as deputy chief for Space Shuttle. According to his biography on the Texas A&M University website, he was selected to begin astronaut training in 1998. He has logged 636 hours in space, including over 42 hours in six spacewalks. He was awarded the USAF Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf clusters.
“My college education started [here] and then I went out and I’ve done a lot of things since then but it became my launchpad,” Fossum said.
Fossum said UTRGV is a great launchpad to whatever future one can dream.
Brownsville resident Miranda Gonzalez said she attended the event because she knew it was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“I also liked that there was an astronaut explaining and saying things about what was about to happen,” Gonzalez said.
For more information about future events for the observatory, visit bpl.us.
