Solar Eclipse

Exactly one month from today, (August 21st, 2017) a total solar eclipse will sweep across America, casting millions of people into temporary darkness. The first total solar eclipse to sweep across the United States in almost a century will largely darken all of Arkansas as the moon casts a shadow on the state. This will be the biggest astronomical event America has witnessed in years. But even if you

Path of Total Eclipse and % of Obscuration

are just finding out about the eclipse, it's not too late to plan for the big event. Here is what you need to know:

A total solar eclipse will pass along a thin strip of land that stretches from the northern West Coast to the southern East Coast on Aug. 21, according to current projections. During a total eclipse, the moon directly overlaps the sun and turns the day almost as dark as night. Because the moon, the sun, and the Earth do not align perfectly for most of the country, Arkansans will only experience a partial eclipse. Most, though not all, of the sun will be obscured. From Little Rock's perspective, the moon will start to edge in front of the sun around 11:47 a.m., at 1:18 p.m. most of the sun’s face, (about 90 percent), will be concealed, and by 2:46 p.m., the moon will have moved on. During this time, the outer section of the moon's shadow, the penumbra, will shade the state. These times do not vary much throughout the state with Max arriving at 1:12 in Fort Smith and 1:22 in Memphis, TN.

8/21/17 Solar Eclipse Times for Little Rock

The last total eclipse to cross the country from coast to coast was June 8, 1918, according to NASA. A total eclipse is only possible because of a “cosmic quirk,” according to NASA’s website. The moon’s diameter is 400 times narrower than the sun’s, but it’s also 400 times closer, so the moon and sun falsely appear as the same size. When they align exactly right, the moon can obscure the sun entirely, thus creating a total eclipse. 

Interesting fact: The next total solar eclipse in America will be April 8th, 2024. During this solar eclipse, Arkansas will be in the path of totality (meaning 100% darkness)!! 

Resources: usno.navy.mil, NASA.gov, & arkansasonline.com