2024 Great North American Eclipse
This site is updated regularly.
Arkansas is in an exciting position to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors leading up to the Great North American Eclipse in 2024, with a possible historic economic impact. The total solar eclipse visits Arkansas on April 8, 2024, beginning at 1:45 pm CDT with the final exit of the Moon's shadow from the state at 2:00 pm CDT.
During the 2024 total solar eclipse, the entire state of Arkansas will have between 94-100% obscurity of the sun during the eclipse. The NEXT total solar eclipse across the United States will be August 23, 2045.
For a list of schools closed the day of the eclipse (April 8th), click here.
Disclaimer: Links to third-party websites do not constitute an endorsement by the AR Department of Education of the content, viewpoint, accuracy, opinions, policies, products, services, or accessibility of the sites.
Path of the April 8, 2024 Eclipse Over Arkansas
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth.
In 2017, many administrators were unprepared when science teachers asked to take students outside to view the eclipse. So, for the upcoming eclipses, NSTA prepared a document to give the background administrators need to help teachers make the two eclipses unforgettable learning experiences. An eclipse video for administrators is now available at YouTube . It is under five minutes and appropriate for building administrators, district administrators and school boards. Please take a look at it and disseminate it widely.
National Science Teaching Association
Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism Eclipse
The Science Of An Eclipse
Professional Development
Arkansas Education Service Cooperatives: Eclipse Professional Development Workshops -
2/2/24 - SCSC-Solar Eclipse PD escWorks # 516521
2/6/24 - SWAEC - The Great Arkansas Total Solar Eclipse of 2024 escWorks #519044
2/20/24 - Economics + Eclipse = Excitement (WEBINAR) escWorks #519141
Arkansas STEM Centers: Check websites for each center to find information about regional eclipse workshops and events.
March 28 - TOTALITY: The Great Arkansas Eclipse
Totality Show Intro.mp4 - Totality Show Intro.mp4 - Frame.io
For the first time in 106 years, Arkansas finds itself within the path of totality of a solar eclipse. ArkansasIDEAS is producing: Once in a Lifetime – The Great Arkansas Eclipse, a documentary, to be broadcast and available online approximately one week prior to the eclipse. This project will weave together unique stories of Arkansas astronomers, highlighting the science behind eclipses and the importance of eclipse safety. Told through interviews with scientists from the NASA Marshall Flight Center, Dr. Matthew Hankins from Arkansas Technical University, and Mayor Fred Teague, of Russellville, Arkansas, this project will highlight the plans and preparations the Russellville community is taking to welcome and partner with NASA for this monumental event. ArkansasIDEAS will provide the video and accompanying resources for teachers on March 28. LINK: March 28 Arkansas Eclipse Documentary
April 8 - TOTALITY: The Great Arkansas Eclipse
On April 8, 2024, ArkansasIDEAS will provide a one-hour livestream of the total solar eclipse over Arkansas. Featuring locations such as: DeQueen, Petit Jean State Park, Russellville, and Jonesboro – TOTALITY: The Great Arkansas Eclipse will span the eclipses complete arc across the state. This program will feature community members from each location, as well as scientific insights from both National and local physics and astronomy experts. Schools in session, as well as those outside the path of totality are invited to hold school-wide streaming events to join in the excitement. LINK: April 8 Live Eclipse Event
Following the eclipse, to be released in the summer of 2024, a full-length documentary and PD course featuring all interviews and live footage captured, to be available on ArkansasIDEAS as professional development with accompanying classroom resources aligned with relevant Arkansas K-12 Science Standards.
Free Educator Eclipse Workshops at the Museum of Discovery
Join us for a free two-hour workshop for educators focused on the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse!
We’ll deep dive into the science of the solar eclipse, teach best practices for communicating eclipse concepts to students, and provide hands-on activities you can implement in your eclipse programming.
This is for teachers, homeschool educators, librarians, museum employees, outreach specialists, etc. and is supported by the Simons Foundation as a part of its ‘In the Path of Totality’ initiative!
Workshops:*
January 15th (Monday) from 9:30-11:30 am
January 30th (Tuesday) from 3:30-5:30 pm
February 10th (Saturday) from 9:30-11:30 am
February 20th (Tuesday) from 3:30-5:30 pm
*Virtual* February 20th from 3:30-5:30 (link will be emailed)
Educator Resources
Exploratorium Solar Eclipse: Tools and experiences that support becoming an active explorer: videos and plans for live streaming the eclipse, extensive background information about eclipses, and hands-on, teacher-tested learning activities.
American Astronomical Society (AAS): Eclipse App: The free Totality app was created by Big Kid Science, which subsequently donated the app to the American Astronomical Society (AAS). For additional eclipse information beyond what you find within the Totality app, please visit the American Astronomical Society (AAS) Eclipse Pages (eclipse.aas.org).
The Ohio State Library has curated a recommended booklist about eclipses.
WEbJunction has suggested solar eclipse fund facts, resources and activities.
Safety And Glasses
Free Glasses For Schools
AR STEM Coalition has a project to provide FREE ECLIPSE GLASSES for all public schools in Arkansas, including open-enrollment charter schools. how this is going to happen.
Below is some basic information along with a few FAQs, but please visit our website for more details and the most updated information: https://arkansasstemcoalition.com/eclipseglassesforschools/
What schools get glasses? Every school that reported to ADE for the 2023-2024 school year will get glasses. If you want to make sure that your school is on the list, just check ADE’s Statewide Information System Report: “Enrollment Count by School.”
If your school is NOT on ADE’s list and should be, please contact Hannah Vogler immediately! By email to Hannah Vogler <hannah@arkansasstemcoalition.com> or call/text at 501-425-2626.
Who gets the glasses at each school? Superintendents will designate who at your school is the person best-equipped to do this! In some schools, glasses are going to the Science Department Chair, in other schools glasses will go to their school “eclipse team,” in some schools it will be the media specialist – it really depends on what is being planned at a school and who is coordinating those efforts.
Do schools need to request or order glasses? No, the AR STEM Coalition has worked with the ADE data system to create a list of all public schools that reported enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year. If your school reported to ADE for this school year, your school is on the list.
How will glasses be distributed? Schools will get glasses differently – please see below!
Schools in an Education Service Cooperative area (including schools that do NOT pay for services): Your coop will receive your glasses and will coordinate how you get your glasses. Most glasses will be delivered to coops by March 14. Please see the website for more information, including a list of Coop coordinators who will be handling the glasses for the schools in each Coop area.
NOTE: Each coop will receive glasses that have been bundled by school and by district, so all of a single district’s glasses will be together but also divided up by school. District offices will receive a separate bundle of glasses for staff not based in schools.
PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT YOUR COOP BEFORE GLASSES ARE SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE!
LRSD Schools: The Arkansas STEM Coalition will be delivering glasses directly to individual schools in the LRSD between March 25-29. The LRSD’s K-12 STEM Director, Jennifer Beasley, is the eclipse glasses coordinator and has provided the STEM Coalition with the name of a contact person at each LRSD school, so we will deliver glasses to that person’s attention when we deliver glasses to schools. The LRSD main office will receive a separate bundle of glasses for staff that is not based in a school. Ms. Beasley’s email is Jennifer.Beasley@lrsd.org and her phone number is 501-447-3376.
If you have questions about your delivery of glasses, please CONTACT US – not LRSD.
PCSSD Schools: The Arkansas STEM Coalition will be delivering glasses to the PCSSD office and/or to individual schools between March 25-29. The PCSSD main office will receive a separate bundle of glasses for staff that is not based in a school. PCSSD’s Director of STEM and Blended Learning, Justin Luttrell, is the eclipse glasses coordinator and will manage how glasses will get from the district to each school. Dr. Luttrell’s email is jluttrell3264@pcssd.org and his phone number is 501-234-2062.
Open-Enrollment Charter Schools: The Arkansas STEM Coalition will be delivering glasses to Arkansas Public School Resource Center (APSRC) offices between March 1-14. With a few exceptions (see below), charter schools will pick up their glasses at either the Little Rock or Northwest AR office, in a process that APSRC describes as being similar to how PPE was distributed during COVID. APSRC’s Director of Charter Development, Luanne Baroni, is the eclipse glasses coordinator for charter schools. Ms. Baroni’s email is lbaroni@apsrc.net and the office number is 501-492-4300.
NOTE: If you are a charter school that WILL NOT need to pick up at the APSRC offices, either we or Ms. Baroni will contact you directly.
Please visit our website for more details and the most updated information about free eclipse glasses for public schools: https://arkansasstemcoalition.com/eclipseglassesforschools/
Or contact:
Hannah Vogler
Executive Director
Arkansas STEM Coalition
501-425-2626 cell
Hannah@ArkansasSTEMCoalition.com
Information For Schools
Field Trips and Experiences
NATIONAL:
Become a NASA Partner Eclipse Ambassador
Audience: Amateur astronomers and undergraduate students ages 18+
Contact: eainfo@astrosociety.org
On April 8, a total solar eclipse will cross the United States. Is your community ready? Become a NASA Partner Eclipse Ambassador to share your space science enthusiasm with others in your area. Ambassadors will help prepare communities across the U.S. to experience the awe of our place in space. Participants will receive training and materials to engage underserved audiences in their area. Applications from amateur astronomers and undergraduate students are being accepted now.
Eclipse Soundscapes Project: The Eclipse Soundscapes Project (ES) is a NASA Citizen Science project funded by NASA Science Activation that is studying how eclipses affect life on Earth during the October 14, 2023 annular solar eclipse and the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse. Eclipse Soundscapes will revisit an eclipse study from almost 100 years ago that showed that animals and insects are affected by solar eclipses. Like this study from 100 years ago, ES will ask for the public’s help. ES will use modern technology to continue to study how solar eclipses affect life on Earth. Eclipse Soundscapes is collecting multi-sensory observations and recorded sound data from the October 14, 2023 annular solar eclipse and the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse. The observations and sound data collected will help to understand the impact of 2023, and 2024 solar eclipses on various U.S. ecosystems.
STATE WIDE:
The ADE Office of Computer Science is excited to announce we will be partnering with the University of Central Arkansas and the Science Specialists from the education cooperatives on a Statewide Solar Eclipse Data Collection project. We will work statewide to monitor light and temperature levels during the solar eclipse on April 8th, 2024. High schools who wish to participate will receive all necessary equipment at an upcoming professional development.
These schools will select two educators (ideally computer science and science) for a 2-day professional development prior to the solar eclipse and another 1-day follow-up later in the spring.
We encourage high schools from every county to participate, regardless of location relative to the path of totality or school closure. We will provide instructions for schools who wish to participate even if the school is closed during the eclipse.
Registration will close Friday, December 8th. Register as soon as possible because participation may be limited.
Registration link: https://tinyurl.com/msxup8zj
If you have any questions, please contact the ADE Office of Computer Science at CSforAR@ade.arkansas.gov
Adam Musto
Director of Computer Science Education
Arkansas Department of Education
Four Capitol Mall
Little Rock, AR 72201
C: 501-289-2204
The Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub: Solar eclipse field trips are available to schools. Visit the website to book a solar eclipse field trip here.
CENTRAL ARKANSAS:
Physics department at the University of Central Arkansas is recruiting teams for a nationwide citizen science project called Citizen CATE, which will be recording data on the upcoming April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse from sites across the country. The goal is to position teams with identical telescopes and cameras along the path of totality, to create an uninterrupted view of the eclipse as it passes from the US-Mexico border in Texas all the way to Maine. This is a unique opportunity to take part in a scientific investigation of parts of the sun we can't usually study.
My role in the project is the Arkansas statewide coordinator, tasked with recruiting and training teams across the state to take part in the project. To make sure we have the greatest chance of success, we need teams positioned in specific locations along the path of totality, which is why I'm seeking your help. There's a PDF flyer attached to this email, and the link to apply is below. Please apply if you're interested in joining the project, and feel free to share it with anyone in your community who might be interested.
Application Link: https://eclipse.boulder.swri.edu/citizen-cate-2024/participate/
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like any additional information.
Jeremy Lusk, PhD
Assistant Professor, Physics and Astronomy
Lewis Science Center 038
University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR 72035
Educational Services for the Visually Impaired (ESVI)
Contact: Christi Dixon
Director, Arkansas Educational Services for the Visually Impaired (ESVI)
Phone: 501-374-5517
Email: christi.dixon@ade.arkansas.gov
Blind NASA Representative Denna Lambert to Headline Historic Solar Eclipse Event in Arkansas
Arkansas Educational Services for the Visually Impaired (ESVI) and the Arts Council of Conway County are thrilled to announce an extraordinary event taking place on April 8th, 2024, as they welcome Denna Lambert, a blind former graduate of Arkansas Public Schools and NASA representative, to celebrate the highly anticipated solar eclipse. This event, hailed as NASA's Super Bowl, promises to provide an unparalleled experience for all attendees, especially for blind and visually impaired students.
Denna Lambert, presently serving as the Inclusive Innovation Lead for NASA's Early Stage Innovation & Partnerships portfolio, will be the focal point of the festivities, generously sharing her wealth of knowledge and experiences with attendees. A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Lambert has been at the forefront of advocating for inclusivity in space exploration and technology. Her inspiring journey from Arkansas to NASA serves as a testament to the possibilities accessible to those with determination and talent.
The event, to be hosted in downtown Morrilton, will showcase a variety of activities designed to offer tactile tools and hands-on experiences for students to understand and appreciate the solar eclipse fully. Lambert's keynote speech, scheduled for 11 am on the Rialto theater stage, is poised to inspire and educate attendees about the eclipse's significance and the importance of inclusivity in STEM fields.
A highlight of the day will be the opportunity for blind and visually impaired attendees to experience the eclipse away from the city, providing a unique and immersive encounter with nature's spectacle.
In addition to celebrating the celestial event, ESVI is dedicated to raising awareness about blindness and low vision. As part of this initiative, the community is actively seeking artwork created by blind and visually impaired students to feature in an art exhibit. Contributions from individuals of all ages are welcome.
"This event signifies a pivotal moment for the state of Arkansas as we unite to celebrate the wonders of the universe and champion inclusivity in STEM," remarked Christi Dixon, Director of ESVI. "We are privileged to host Denna Lambert and offer an unforgettable experience for our students, nurturing a deeper appreciation for science and diversity."
As the event approaches, further information will be disseminated within the community.
The tentative schedule is as follows:
10 am Arrival
10-11 am Student Socializing/Activity (we anticipate some people being late due to the traffic issues that come along with this event)
11 am Denna Lambert's Speech on the Rialto stage
11:30 am-12:30 pm Lunch and Preparation for Eclipse/Activity
2-2:30 pm Begin Journey Back to School/Home
Central Arkansas Astronomical Society Eclipse Info
- The Central Arkansas Astronomical Society will be hosting an Eclipse Leader Workshop (Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023, 1:30 - 3:30 pm) focusing on preparing anyone to answer eclipse science questions and to help lead a group or community with the upcoming solar eclipse events. . (Click here to subscribe to news for future events)
Contact: Darcy Howard, CAAS Eclipse Resource Developer and Education Outreach and a NASA Partner Eclipse Ambassador, darcy.eclipse.CAASastro@gmail.com and Carl Freyaldenhoven, NASA Partner Eclipse Ambassador, number2frey@yahoo.com
Museum of Discovery will be hosting specialized eclipse and NASA activities to the museum and provide free glasses to families in Central Arkansas.
Arkansas State University Howl at the Sun.2024 : Celebrate the Solar Eclipse with A-State!
Howl at The Sun 2024 Event will kick-off on Monday, April 8th at 10:00am on Arkansas State University Campus.
Jonesboro’s location along the solar eclipse path guarantees viewers with over 2 minutes of totality for your viewing pleasure!
ABOUT: Educators and students enjoy STEM hands-on activities, music, viewing stations, and more! (Event activity map finalizing now!)
LOCATION: Arkansas State University Campus in Jonesboro
Printable Directions are located here.
TIME: Monday, April 8th, 2024, 10am-3pm
SIGN-UP: Registration is required. Follow the links below to register your group today! Solar Eclipse glasses will be available to registered guests. Bring your lunch or enjoy our grilled food! Register here>>
University of Arkansas Center for Mathematics and Science Education (CMASE): CMASE Eclipse events will be announced for October 14, 2023, and April 7, 2024.
Emergency Management Guidance
Arkansas Division of Emergency Management Guidance
If schools are going to be in session, they are encouraged to contact their local emergency management offices to alert local fire departments and law enforcement of emergency response needs during the eclipse.
Information For Families
Public Libraries
Check with your local public library to see if they have special activities around the eclipse. To find your local library, look here.
Public Events and Activities
3rd Friday Art Walk January- March 2024 featuring solar eclipse family-friendly activities.
Planetariums in Arkansas:
CENTRAL ARKANSAS:
Want to learn more about the science and cultural history of eclipses? See the newest show “ Darkness Over Arkansas: The 2024 Eclipse“ in the Oaklawn Foundation Digital Dome Planetarium! Shows debut this Fall.
SOUTH ARKANSAS:
The South Arkansas Arts Center and the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Total Eclipse Viewing Party starting at 12:32 April 8, 2024. South Arkansas Arts Center, 110 East 5th, El Dorado, AR 71730
