Arkansas Tech University and the city of Russellville welcomed a NASA support team and a group of astronomers from France's Paris Observatory at a reception on Wednesday, April 3, at ATU's Hull Building Student Union.
Guests are coming to Arkansas Tech University and Russellville to observe the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8th.
“I'm so proud of the people of Russellville… They really came together and put a lot of planning into place,” said ATU Interim President Dr. Russell Jones. “I don't know of any city that is better prepared for an eclipse than Russellville, Arkansas. The whole city is buzzing. Regardless of the number of guests, everyone here will have a good time.”
The NASA team and French astronomers are staying on the campus of Arkansas Tech University, and have access to resources such as ATU's Chambers Cafeteria during their stay.
“We're honored to have you here. We're glad you're on campus,” Jones said. “We welcome you because you bring so much to the children and adults of Russellville. You will be exposed. You are what makes this special for us. The City of Russellville will support you and you will be glad you are based here. ATU is your home. We will do everything we can to make your stay more enjoyable.”
The welcome party at the Hull Building Student Union also included Pope County Judge Ben Cross and Russellville Mayor Fred Teague.
“We’re so happy to have you in our hometown,” Teague said. “Arkansas Tech University's campus is truly amazing and we are so grateful to them. Welcome and thank you for choosing Russellville. We love it. It's a great place to grow old and I'm so grateful you chose Russellville. I hope when you leave next week you'll think it's a great place and have some great memories.”
The NASA team's arrival in Russellville was the culmination of a process that began with a phone call to Christy Graham, executive director of the Russellville Tourism Visitor Center.
Asked about the warm welcome to Russellville, Christopher Blair, a public affairs officer at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, said, “Everyone is excited, but not surprised.” “We've known for months that Russellville was well-prepared. That was one of the reasons we chose it. I spent the last year deciding where to go. To decide, I started researching multiple cities in Missouri and Arkansas. Some cities had little planning. Some cities had zero planning. I called Christy Graham and As soon as I got off the phone, I knew Russellville got it. They were months ahead of their time.
“Russellville understands the scope, scale and impact on infrastructure, transportation, emergency services and communications,” Blair continued. “It was about safety. We knew if we could get 20 people here, we could get 20 people home safely. From the first phone call, we could tell that Russellville understood that. But as the story progressed, it was only confirmed.”
While representatives are in Russellville for the eclipse, the NASA team is visiting local K-12 schools, conducting programs at ATU, and generally reaching out to as many people as possible. His NASA group in Russellville will also participate in a live broadcast that can be viewed at www.nasa.gov/nasatv during the eclipse.
Mr Blair said: “The most important thing is public engagement, education and recognition of what we do as a government agency.” “Whether it's a solar eclipse, a spacecraft launch, or a comet, any scientific element that provides data and research opportunities communicates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics information to the general public, families, and universities. This is an opportunity for students, high school students…any student. We don't do NASA commercials. We don't advertise on rockets. This is our advertising. We're on the ground. agency. We would much rather spend our education support funds on an in-person experience. To us, that is more valuable than a 30-second spot on TV.”
Robert Roper, a research astrophysicist at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, said the eclipse will help us learn more about the solar system around us.
“The reason this is a big issue is because it opens up the science and the ability to do solar physics to a wide range of people,” Roper said. “You don't have to own a billion dollar spaceship to block out the sun. There will be a natural solar eclipse on Monday, expected to hit about half of the state of Arkansas. This is my first time experiencing a total solar eclipse, so this is my first time experiencing a total solar eclipse. is a special event for me.”
For more information about ATU preparation, visit www.atu.edu/eclipse.
For more information on community preparedness, please visit https://eclipserussellville.com.
