We are thrilled to extend a warm invitation to all members of our community to join us for an unforgettable experience – the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse on Monday, April 8!
It has been over 100 years (older than ASU-Beebe) that a total solar eclipse has passed though Arkansas. 1918 was the last time one came through.
As a reminder, we'll be offering both in-person attendance at our Beebe, Heber Springs and Searcy campuses and the chance to join us virtually via our livestream, accessible through our YouTube channel at: https://bit.ly/ASUBEclipseLivestream. Can't make it live? Don't worry! The livestream will be available for later viewing, ensuring that everyone can be a part of this extraordinary event.
We'll also have the LightSound Project devices on our Beebe and Heber Springs campuses to make the event accessible for those who are blind or have low vision. A demonstration video can be viewed here: https://bit.ly/ASUBLightSoundProjectDemo
Spread the word and invite your friends and family to join us to witness the magic of the eclipse, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
For more details, please see the press release below for detailed information.
- Have enough food/groceries on hand to last from Thursday, April 4 to Thursday, April 11
- If you are not on well water, consider having some other containers of water saved in the event that community water supplies are strained
- Make sure your vehicles have a full tank of gas by Friday April 5
- Try to have stocked any other household items you may need during that 5-day stretch
- Refill your prescription medications to make sure you have any vital medications you need
- If you have medical equipment that relies on batteries, have extra batteries on hand
- Allow for extra time on the road if you have to go somewhere in case roads are congested
- Have some cash on hand in the event that the internet is not working
Arkansas State University-Beebe Hosts Community Eclipse Viewing Events Across Beebe, Heber Springs, Searcy Campuses
With less than 5 days until the April 8 total solar eclipse event, Arkansas State University-Beebe is putting the final plans in place at its Beebe, Heber Springs and Searcy campuses to offer premier viewing sites at each location, promising an unforgettable experience for all attendees.
Each campus offers a unique vantage point along the path of totality, ensuring an extraordinary viewing experience for travelers. Attendees can purchase commemorative t-shirts and merchandise, indulge in tasty offerings from food trucks, and access first aid stations for added comfort and safety. Eclipse glasses will be provided while supplies last, allowing attendees to witness the eclipse safely. ASU-Beebe extends complimentary parking to students and employees at all locations with a valid parking pass or employee/student identification.
Andrea Cole, ASU-Beebe’s development officer/major gifts and eclipse taskforce coordinator, shares her excitement for the event.
“ASU-Beebe encourages everyone to gather and witness this awe-inspiring event together, fostering connections, learning and celebration under the extraordinary sky. Bring your lawn chairs, and prepare for an unforgettable eclipse experience on April 8,” said Cole.
Viewing Locations
Beebe campus:
Location: 610 North Pecan Street, Beebe, Arkansas. The central viewing location will be near the Dr. Eugene McKay Student Center track.
Totality duration: Partial begins at 12:35 p.m. Totality begins at 1:52:31 p.m. for 2m 46s.
Parking: Onsite parking is available for $20 per vehicle (cash only), with entry from Pecan Street off Dewitt Henry Drive starting at 7 a.m.
Food: Food trucks will be available onsite, including Nach’yo Nachos and Flour Power, which offers baked goods.
Searcy campus:
Location: 1800 E. Moore Ave., Searcy, Arkansas. The main viewing area will be the lawn area off Moore Ave., adjacent to Berryhill Park activities. Please note: Moore Street between Moss and Davis Drive will be closed as of midnight on Monday, April 8 and will not reopen until 4 p.m. Davis Drive will become one way headed north to the bypass (Hwy 13) to accommodate an influx of traffic.
Totality duration: Partial begins at 12:35 p.m. Totality begins at 1:52:55 p.m. for 2m 57s.
Parking: Parking is available for $10 per vehicle (cash only), with entry on Davis Drive beginning at 7 a.m.
Food: A wide variety of food trucks will be available nearby at the Berryhill Park viewing site.
Heber Springs campus:
Location: 101 Rivercrest Drive, Heber Springs, Arkansas. The main viewing area will be the lawn area at the front of the campus.
Totality duration: Partial begins at 12:35 p.m. Totality begins at 1:52:12 p.m. for 4m 5s.
Parking: Onsite parking is available for $20 per vehicle (cash only), with lots opening at 7 a.m. Please note: Access to Sugarloaf Mountain will be closed from 6 p.m. on April 7 to 8 a.m. on April 9 for safety reasons.
Food: The Freeze Lady will offer freeze dried treats for sale and hamburgers and hot dogs will also be available for purchase.
For those unable to attend in person or who live outside of the path of totality, ASU-Beebe will livestream the eclipse from the picturesque Heber Springs campus on the ASU-Beebe YouTube channel, enabling viewers to experience the magic from the comfort of their own space. The livestream is available on the ASU-Beebe YouTube channel at: https://bit.ly/ASUBEclipseLivestream.
Merchandise
Commemorative T-shirts will be sold on each campus for $25. Other merchandise available for purchase on each campus includes 11"x17" posters for $10, 4"x6" magnets for $5 and 3" round buttons for $5.
LightSound Project Devices
LightSound Project devices will be available on the Beebe and Heber Springs campuses, making the event accessible to individuals who are blind or have low vision.
The LightSound device, developed by Harvard's Department of Astronomy and provided free of charge to 750+ locations hosting eclipse events in the path of totality, is a revolutionary technology that allows individuals to experience the wonder of the cosmos in a whole new dimension. Combining light and sound, the LightSound device creates an immersive auditory experience that enhances the understanding and appreciation of astronomical phenomena for individuals who are blind or have low vision.
"We are thrilled to bring this innovative technology to our campuses in Beebe and Heber Springs," said Cole. "The total solar eclipse is a rare and awe-inspiring event, and with the LightSound devices, we can offer our students and the community an unforgettable experience that combines science, technology and wonder, making the event more accessible for all.”
According to the LightSound Project website, the device uses a technique called sonification, which is the process of converting light intensity to sound. As the moon eclipses the sun during a total solar eclipse, the sunlight begins to dim, and the LightSound device will output a change in musical tone, allowing observers to perceive astronomical events in real-time. The device can be attached to headphones or to a speaker to project the sound for a group.
For a demonstration of the LightSound Project device, visit: https://bit.ly/ASUBLightSoundProjectDemo
Stay updated on all eclipse-related information by visiting: https://www.asub.edu//2024-eclipse/.
