UA Little Rock to Host Solar Eclipse Celebration April 8
As the celestial bodies align on April 8, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is set to host an awe-inspiring solar eclipse celebration, inviting students, employees, alumni, and the community to witness the cosmic spectacle.
UA Little Rock is excited to welcome the public and campus community to experience this rare and breathtaking event on campus. This day of science and observation for the whole family will take place from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday, April 8, with activities taking place both inside and outside the Jack Stephens Center.
“If we don’t observe the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, we won’t have another chance in Arkansas for the next 21 years,” said Dr. Gregory Guisbiers, associate professor of physics and astronomy at UA Little Rock. “That is why I encourage everyone to see the eclipse in April. For many of us, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event.”
A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. Much of Arkansas lies within the path of totality with Little Rock expected to have two minutes and 29 seconds of totality. The partial eclipse will take place from 12:33-3:11 p.m. with the main event, the total solar eclipse, taking place between 1:51-1:54 p.m. in Little Rock.
The university’s School of Physical Sciences is organizing guided observation sessions equipped with solar telescopes from Celestron, allowing attendees to witness the eclipse with breathtaking detail as it is transmitted on large screens for all to enjoy. Additionally, UA Little Rock will have 50 telescopes featuring Solar Safe filter technology for children to safely observe the eclipse. UA Little Rock will also have 50 phone adapters, making it easy and safe for people to take a picture with their phone, and thousands of eclipse glasses for the crowd.
“The eclipse event at UA Little Rock is a prime example of how different academic fields can come together to explore and learn,” Provost Ann Bain said. “We’re grateful to everyone participating in this event, as their unique academic perspectives enrich the learning experience for all. We’re excited to offer this unique learning opportunity for our students and the wider community.”
Additionally, UA Little Rock will have an inflatable planetarium, a Foucault’s pendulum, meteorites on display, and a variety of demonstrations representing areas from the humanities to healthcare taking place throughout the day inside the Jack Stephens Center. Food trucks and children’s activities, such as manufacturing pinhole viewing boxes and face painting, will also be available to make sure all family members enjoy their entire day at UA Little Rock.
Alaina Levine, author of “Networking for Nerds,” will be giving a guest lecture at 10 a.m. in the Jack Stephens Center. For more than 20 years, Levine has been helping emerging and established leaders build meaningful careers. After the lecture, Levine will meet with UA Little Rock students, faculty, and staff to give them advice on how to boost their careers.
The event is funded by the Donaghey Foundation, Arkansas Space Grant Consortium, and the UA Little Rock Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
For more information on the solar eclipse event, visit ualr.edu/eclipse.
