Oklahoma City, OK / Little Rock, AR – Residents across Oklahoma and Arkansas will be some of the best-positioned skywatchers in the entire United States for the most dramatic eclipse of 2026, with viewing conditions expected to be near ideal compared to nearly every other region.
According to astronomical forecasts, four eclipses will occur in 2026, including two solar and two lunar eclipses. For both states, the clear highlight is the March total lunar eclipse, which should be visible in full statewide, weather permitting.
🌕 March 3, 2026 — Total Lunar Eclipse (Prime Viewing in OK & AR)
This is the top eclipse event of 2026 for U.S. residents, and Oklahoma and Arkansas sit squarely in the heart of the strongest viewing corridor.
According to eclipse timing data, the Moon will enter Earth’s darkest shadow during the early morning hours Tuesday, March 3. Viewers in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, Edmond, Little Rock, Fort Smith, Fayetteville, Rogers, and Jonesboro are expected to see all phases of the eclipse, including a long-lasting deep red “Blood Moon” during totality.
Unlike states farther east or west, the Moon will remain high in the sky throughout peak totality, allowing for extended viewing, excellent visibility, and ideal conditions for photography.
👉 Lunar eclipses are safe to view without special glasses.
🌞 August 12, 2026 — Solar Eclipse (Partial in OK & AR)
A major total solar eclipse will cross Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain later in the year. In Oklahoma and Arkansas, the event will appear only as a partial solar eclipse.
During the late morning hours, the Sun will be partially obscured across both states. Certified solar eclipse glasses are required for safe viewing.
🌕 August 27–28, 2026 — Partial Lunar Eclipse
A second lunar eclipse later in the summer will also be visible across Oklahoma and Arkansas, though only modest shadowing of the Moon is expected.
🧭 Oklahoma & Arkansas Eclipse Takeaway
- ⭐ Best local event: March 3 total lunar eclipse
- 👀 Viewing quality: Exceptional — among the best in the U.S.
- ☀️ Solar eclipse: Partial locally; totality occurs overseas
