Editor’s note: This story is part of The Dallas Morning News’ coverage of the 2024 total solar eclipse. For more, visit dallasnews.com/eclipse.
Former NASA astronaut José Hernández is coming to the AT&T Discovery District in Dallas for the April 8 total solar eclipse.
Hernández’s life story was featured in the 2023 Amazon Prime film A Million Miles Away, starring actor Michael Peña. Hernández was a Mexican American son of immigrant farmworkers in California and went on to become an engineer and astronaut.
The AT&T Discovery District in downtown Dallas will host a free eclipse watch party, where Hernández will speak about his career and answer children’s questions about science and technology.
Hernández was born in French Camp, Calif., and his family is from Michoacán, Mexico. After multiple attempts, Hernández joined the Johnson Space Center in Houston in 2001.
After being turned down 11 times over three years for astronaut training by NASA, Hernández was selected in May 2004.
Hernández worked on various assignments until his selection in 2008 as a mission specialist on the STS-128 mission, which launched on Aug. 28, 2009. While in orbit, Hernández became the first person to use the Spanish language in space while tweeting.
The STS-128 mission ended its journey on Sept. 11, 2009, at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
The 2023 movie was based on Hernández’s 2012 autobiography, Reaching for the Stars: The Inspiring Story of a Migrant Farmworker Turned Astronaut. He currently serves as a regent of the University of California.
For those who join Hernández, there will be a first-come, first-served giveaway of 4,000 eclipse glasses.
Special eclipse-themed food and drink menus will be available at the Exchange Hall and Cowboy Chow restaurants.
At a glance
The free event will be from 10 am to 3 pm on Monday, April 8. Hernández will deliver remarks at 12:15 pm at the AT&T Discovery District, 308 S. Akard St., in Dallas. For additional details, visit the AT&T Discovery District website.
