Amateur stargazers will have the opportunity to take a look at the night sky with NASA scientists this weekend as a prelude to Monday's total solar eclipse.
Lake Ouachita State Park will host two events in conjunction with NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Earth to Sky and the Hot Springs Village Stargazers Club Friday and Saturday nights.
"We'll have a meet and greet at the beginning with the guest speakers," Emily Stubblefield, an interpreter at the state park, said. "They'll do a couple presentations, and then we'll have telescope time. Look at the different constellations and different cool astronomical things. Telescopes (will be) provided by the Hot Springs Village Stargazers."
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Stubblefield said the event will be free and open to the public, but as space is limited to 125 each night, visitors are encouraged to reserve a spot in advance.
"When they call to register, we'll tell them where (to park) because we'll have to work on parking that evening," she said. "The event itself will be up near the Caddo Bend Trail, but the parking will be near the Visitor Center, near the trailhead, near the marina. It will depend on (space), and we're encouraging folks to carpool if at all possible. The more they can carpool, the shorter the walk."
The night's events will start with an informal meet and greet with the scientists at 7:30 p.m. before an 8 p.m. presentation by park rangers, NASA, NOAA and Earth to Sky. Telescopes will be set up by the Stargazers Club, and attendees will be able to look at the night sky for approximately an hour, starting at 9 p.m.
"It will officially kick off at 8 (p.m.), but by 7:30 (p.m.), folks can meet the guest speakers and set up their spot to go gazing, that way they can hear and see everything and that's going to go on," Stubblefield said.
"It should be fun. If folks bring flashlights, we're going to have the opportunity for them to make them into red lights, so we are not blinded by the white flashlight light. We're encouraging them to bring a flashlight because it will be dark on their way back, but we'll need to wrap those and get those covered, so they're more nightvision appropriate for the program."
Stubblefield said attendees will have to walk, but they will be taking a paved road from the Visitor Center to the site of the event.
"If ADA parking is needed, just let us know at sign-up, and we can accommodate," she said. "They'll be walking 100 yards, depending on where they're parking. It might be a little bit farther, but not too far, and it'll be on paved surfaces."
The event is family-friendly, but the state park requests no pets other than service animals.
"Kids, families are welcome," Stubblefield said. "Do bring a lawn chair, blanket, that kind of thing. Lawn chair would probably be better, but if you've got kids, sometimes a blanket's better."
Stubblefield said the park's campground and cabins are completely booked for the weekend.
"If you're camping with us, folks will get a day pass," she said. "That way they can take one vehicle in and out, but if folks are expecting to come here at noon to view and they don't have a pass, they'll be turned away. Once we are full, we are full.
"Hopefully, the weather cooperates, and we'll be able to experience it together. It's kind of cool phenomenon, but we are preparing for lots of people," Stubblefield said.
Camping at the state park is limited only to the campground, she said, but the Ouachita National Forest, which surrounds the park, allows primitive dispersed camping.
The U.S. Forest Service website explains that dispersed camping is "camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground." No services or facilities are available for dispersed camping.
The Forest Service also encourages campers to bring their own water or bring water filtration, to "Leave No Trace" and to remain at least 100 feet from a stream or water source due to possible flooding. Full guidelines and restrictions can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/26aj7rwh
A camper stands near a tent watching the sunset at Lake Ouachita. Lake Ouachita State Park has a special stargazing event set for Friday and Saturday nights which will be held in conjunction with NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Earth to Sky and the Hot Springs Village Stargazers Club. (Submitted photo courtesy of Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism)