NASA/NOAA Scientists, Experts to Come to Hot Springs To Join in Activities Surrounding April Total Eclipse of the Sun
HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — Nine scientists and educators from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will visit Hot Springs in April to share activities and presentations about the April 8 total solar eclipse.
Hot Springs National Park is one of only two national parks in America that will be within the path of totality — total darkness — during the eclipse.
The NASA and NOAA scientists and educators will attend a special Bridge Street LIVE celebration on Thursday, April 4, to share activities and presentations about the eclipse, eclipse safety, heliophysics (which looks at the nature of the sun and its influence on space), space weather, exoplanet exploration and communication, the moon, climate change and upcoming research that NASA is conducting. A free public concert by blues artist Nikki Hill will be the featured event at the Bridge Street LIVE celebration.
The presentations, which will be free and open to the public, will take place at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the Bridge Street Entertainment District. There will be limited seating, according to Visit Hot Springs Marketing Director Bill Solleder. Visit Hot Springs will have protective eclipse glasses on hand at the event, he said.
“I’m so excited that NASA, NOAA and Earth-to-Sky (ETS) have decided to join us for the total eclipse,” Solleder said. “Their insight, expertise and engagement are going to make the eclipse an even greater experience for all of us.”
Ashley N. Waymouth, interpretation programs manager for Hot Springs National Park, said, “The total solar eclipse is sure to be a phenomenal and memorable event for all of us in Hot Springs. As one of two national parks in the path of totality, Hot Springs National Park is looking forward to welcoming visitors to the park to enjoy and view the eclipse.”
“Hot Springs National Park is currently finalizing NASA's eclipse programming and plans to ensure the safety of our visitors and resources,” she said.
Some of the events planned in Hot Springs for the eclipse weekend include:
Thursday, April 4 — Bridge Street LIVE Eclipse Kick-Off Concert with Nikki Hill and presentations by NASA and NOAA scientists.
Friday, April 5 — Atlas Obscura's Ecliptic Music and Camping Festival at Cedar Glades Park
Saturday, April 6 — Atlas Obscura's Ecliptic Music and Camping Festival.
Ron Coleman Mining Eclipse Festival.
Sunday, April 7 — Atlas Obscura's Ecliptic Music and Camping Festival.
Ron Coleman Mining Eclipse Festival.
Monday, April 8 — Atlas Obscura's Ecliptic Music and Camping Festival.
Ron Coleman Mining Eclipse Festival, Day 3.
Majestic Park Baseball Field Watch Party.
Oaklawn Infield Watch Party
Mid-America Science Museum Watch Party
Garvan Woodland Gardens Watch Party
Garland County Library Watch Party
Hot Springs is home to lodging that ranges from Airbnb to luxury hotels and more than 200 restaurants to suit any taste from take-out to Continental cuisine. Visit www.hotsprings.org for everything you’ll need to watch the eclipse.
For more information call Bill Solleder at 501-321-2027.