LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Excitement has reached new heights in the Natural State now that the total solar eclipse is officially only one month away!
A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, casting its shadow onto Earth.
The long-awaited astronomical event will take place on April 8, allowing those in the path of totality to witness the day turn to night for up to four and a half minutes in some areas.
According to astronomers, the entire eclipse will stretch roughly three hours from the moment it enters the state. However, this eclipse's biggest draw is its path of totality, which will cover the heart of Arkansas and draw millions of people from across the nation to watch it.
Here's everything you need to know before the big day.
Eclipse glasses & viewing safety
To view the eclipse safely, NASA recommends that people view it through eclipse glasses or a safe handheld viewer.
It's important to remember not to use traditional sunglasses because they are not safe for viewing the sun and could result in vision damage. You should also avoid using a camera or binoculars to view it since those will have "concentrated solar rays."
However, there are special lens filters you can get for these devices to help protect your eyes. For more information on other ways to safely view the eclipse, please click here.
If you're looking for somewhere to find the proper eclipse eyewear in central Arkansas, you're in luck! We compiled a full list of places they're available. All solar eclipse glasses must comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard.
Viewing events
- Total Eclipse of the Heart Festival - Russellville, AR
- This free wedding ceremony offers couples the chance to say "I do" just minutes before totality takes place on April 8.
- Free admission at Dickey-Stephens Park - Little Rock, AR
- Join the Arkansas Travelers for an exclusive viewing of the total solar eclipse.
- SoMa in the Dark: Path of Totality Eclipse Watch Party - Little Rock, AR
- Attendees of all ages can enjoy refreshments, browse vendors, and get eclipse viewing glasses sponsored by Rock Town Distillery.
The Citizen Eclipse Portal on the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management's website also has a comprehensive list of viewing events put together by county.
Pictured below is a map of all the Arkansas cities that fall under the eclipse's path of totality.
How Arkansas has prepared
After months of preparation in the Natural State, the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, state leaders, and other government agencies have developed plans for a smooth eclipse event.
The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) introduced a traffic plan to address the massive influx of travel through the state expected on that day.
In a traffic management plan released at the end of 2023, ARDOT estimated that nearly 1.5 million people may make their way to Arkansas for this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Not only could that many people put a strain on the state's infrastructure, but it could also impact water services. Central Arkansas Water (CAW) has prepared for exactly that, with crews spending countless hours ensuring that everything is in the right shape and up to speed.
Since CAW services most of the central Arkansas area, including cities like Little Rock, North Little Rock, Maumelle, and even wholesale customers like Bryant, Jacksonville, and Cabot, they're expecting high demand on April 8.
Their staff will treat the eclipse like any other high-demand day, just like in the summertime when more people typically start filling up their swimming pools or mowing their lawns.
In many cities, safety is top of mind for officials planning for the total solar eclipse. In Maumelle, police and fire departments received new equipment to help keep everyone safe on the big day.
School closures
In preparation for the busy day, many school districts across the state have issued special day-long closures for the event. For a full list of current district closures, please click here.