Catch the Eclipse at UA Little Rock – April 8, 2024
Join us at UA Little Rock on April 8, 2024, for a once-in-a-lifetime celestial event! Witness the total solar eclipse as it sweeps across North America, with a prime viewing location at the Jack Stephens Center at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
We are excited to be in the path of totality – where the Moon’s shadow completely covers the Sun. Being in the path of totality means the sky will become dark as if it were dawn or dusk.
This rare and breathtaking event, not happening again in Arkansas until 2045, offers an unforgettable day of science and observation for the whole family. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with the cosmos!
Location: Jack Stephens Center, UA Little Rock Campus at 2801 South University, Little Rock. AR 72204. The JSC is located off 28th Street. Please note that this event will have a clear bag policy and metal detectors will be at each event entrance.
Timeline of Totality for the Solar Eclipse in Little Rock
| Location | Partial Begins | Totality Begins | Maximum | Totality Ends | Partial Ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock, Arkansas | 12:33 p.m. CDT | 1:51 p.m. CDT | 1:52 p.m. CDT | 1:54 p.m. CDT | 3:11 p.m. CDT |
Source: science.nasa.gov
Schedule of Events
With the eclipse coming soon, we have a full day of activities planned to take in this once-in-a lifetime event. Here’s more of what you can expect:
Event Overview
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
Event begins with lots of fun activities:
- 30,000 Complimentary Eclipse Glasses
- Face Painting
- Multiple food vendors
- Bounce Houses and Kid-friendly activities
- 50 Kids’ Telescopes
- Hear the Eclipse translated to Sound
- Five “6 inch” telescopes for viewing
- One “8 inch” telescope broadcasting on two screens
- One “11 inch” telescope for taking pictures of the eclipse
- Laser demonstrations
- Academic presentations (outside and in Derek Fisher Court)
10 – 11 a.m. Alaina G. Levine Keynote Speech: “Don’t Eclipse Your Future: Create Your Unicorn Career in STEM”
Jack Stephens Center inside
11 – 11:30 a.m. Alaina G. Levine Book Signing
Alaina G. Levine will sign copies of her award-winning book, Networking for Nerds
Jack Stephens Center inside
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Portable Planetarium Demonstrations
Derek Fisher Court in the Jack Stephens Center
12 – 1 p.m. Tony Hall Speaking
Jack Stephens Center inside
12:33 – 3:11 p.m. Eclipse in Progress
1:51 – 1:54 p.m. Eclipse Totality
Indoor Academic Experiences – Derek Fisher Court
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Learn about the 2024 Research and Creative Works Expo
- Erathostenes, Foacault’s Pendulum, Cavendish Balance, and more – Physics Department
- Learn about the Donaghey College of Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics
- Pre-health – Learn about pre-health at UA Little Rock
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- “How the Solar Eclipse could be predicted Mathematically” – Mathematics and Statistics Department
- “Build your own Eclipse Viewer” – Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education
Outdoor Academic Experiences – Front Steps of the Jack Stephens Center
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- “And Juliet is the Sun”: Heliocentric Knowledge and Renaissance Poetry
- Solar Eclipse Photo Booth and Learning about DCSTEM College
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Learn about CHASSE at UA Little Rock and book an Advising appointment
11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- The Sun in Norse Mythology – English program
12 – 2 p.m.
- “Did you hear?…Don’t look at the sun” – Chemistry program
- Eclipse History – History Department
Food Vendors and a Water Station will be available throughout the day.
Parking Map
Please enter campus from Fair Park Blvd. and West 28th Street.
Event Map
Fun For Everyone
Solar Glasses: Join us in witnessing this rare celestial event safely. We’ll be distributing 30,000 solar glasses, ensuring every guest can directly observe the eclipse with complete eye protection.
Food Trucks: Satisfy your taste buds while you gaze at the sky! A variety of food trucks will be available, offering delicious meals and refreshments to keep you full and hydrated throughout the event.
Accessible Viewing Station: Experience the eclipse in a unique way at our Accessible Viewing Station for the visually impaired. Here, innovative technology translates the eclipse into sound waves, allowing everyone, regardless of visual ability, to engage with this astronomical phenomenon.
Live Large Screen Viewing and Telescope Access: Witness the eclipse on a grand scale with our large CPC Deluxe 1100 HD Computerized Telescope, broadcasting live on a big screen, plus we’ll have multiple telescopes available for viewing.
For Kids:
Specialty Telescopes: Experience the eclipse through one of our 50 kid-friendly telescopes. Designed for safety, these telescopes are equipped with Solar Safe filter technology, providing complete protection from young eyes.
Family-Friendly Fun: Dive into a day of fun with our eclipse-themed face painting and art, crafting pinhole viewing boxes, an inflatable planetarium to step inside, and playful bounce houses. These activities are designed to entertain and educate, ensuring a memorable experience for our younger guests.
For Adults:
Learn While Sky Gazing: We’ll have multiple experts from campus with demonstrations on eclipse safety, meteorites, eclipse-themed literature, and more, providing a full day of activities.