The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and the National Museum of the U.S. Navy (NMUSN) have teamed up to host a solar eclipse fair Aug. 21.

The event is open to the public and will take place at the museum aboard the Washington Navy Yard, from 11:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dr. Jonathan Krall, a research physicist in NRL's plasma physics division will give a presentation on solar science and the role it plays in Navy operations.

Krall's presentation, "The Sun, Space Weather, the Eclipse and the Navy Mission," supports the nation's science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) effort to educate the public and inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers.

"Solar science continues to play a pivotal role in the Navy's daily operations and NRL is a leading Navy authority on this subject," said Krall. "We [NRL] developed Vanguard I, the first operational satellite powered by solar panels and NRL is still breaking barriers in solar science with innovations like our multi-fuel source autonomous vehicle research."

After the presentation the first 100 attendees will receive a pair of International Organization of Standardization approved solar-eclipse viewing glasses.

Guests will then have the opportunity to view the solar eclipse at Dahlgren Park, next to the NMUSN entrance. Washington Navy Yard's Morale Welfare and Recreation office will provide music, lawn games and other festivities.

"STEM education is vital to our nation's future," Thomas Frezza said, NMUSN director of education. "Our [NMUSN] collaboration with NRL is an example of ways to accelerate STEM outreach in the community now, for a capable workforce in the future."

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