ST. LOUIS – With less than two months until a portion of Missouri sees its first total solar eclipse since 2017, now is the time to prepare for the best way to see it.
Where can I see the eclipse in Missouri?
Monday, April 8, is the big day. While the majority of the Show-Me State will only be able to view a partial eclipse (84.9% totality to nearly 100%), the southeastern region will see a total eclipse, according to Missouri State Parks.
Some of the larger towns that will have perfect views for the event include Farmington, Poplar Bluff, Saint Genevieve, Perryville, Cape Girardeau, and Sikeston. 20 state parks will be open to the public for viewing the total eclipse. All other Missouri state parks will allow visitors the opportunity to visit and see the partial eclipse.
The eclipse will begin in Missouri at 1:54 p.m. CST and exit the state at 2:02 p.m. CST. Patterson, MO, will see the longest duration of totality, being just a few seconds short of 4 minutes. The shortest totality duration will be 55 seconds in Salem, MO.
The next solar eclipse across the contiguous United States won’t occur again for another 20 years.
To find a state park to watch the eclipse, click here.
Perry County is holding a three-day “SolarFest” for visitors to enjoy their town before and during the eclipse. This includes science demonstrations, food vendors, live entertainment, a parade, and more. To view the itinerary, click here. Below is a list of recommended places to view the eclipse in Perry County:
- Perryville City Park
- Missouri’s National Veterans Memorial
- Bank of Missouri Soccer Complex
- Saxony Hills Brewery
- Perryville Regional Airport
- Lutheran Heritage Center and Museum
- Hemmann Winery
- Old Appleton Bridge
Cape Girardeau is home to several camping grounds and hotels, but it is strongly recommended to make plans now as space is filling up. Lots of events will include live music and food. The following are local eclipse events open to the public:
- Cape Girardeau Sportsplex
- Cape Riverfront Market
- Southeast Missouri State University
- John Wesley Powell’s Fort D Historic Site
- The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri
- Broussard’s Cajun Cuisine
- Jackson, MO
- Cape Girardeau Regional Airport
- Village of Commerce
- Bollinger Mill State Historic Site
- Benton Speedway
- Apple Creek Winery
- Bollinger County
- The Bootheel Youth Museum
West Plains will also be hosting a four-day festival surrounding the eclipse, including events like a pancake breakfast, a dodgeball tournament, concerts, a farmers market, fireworks and more. The eclipse party will be held at the West Plains Senior Center. For more information regarding the events, click here.
The Sikeston Convention and Visitors Bureau invites the public to visit for the historic event with a crawfish boil, a movie showing, animal tales, and giveaways. To learn more, click here.
Kennett, MO, currently has three viewing spots, with more locations underway:
- Indian Park
- Jerry P. Combs Lake Conservation Area
- Southeast Missouri State University-Kennett Regional Campus
What is a solar eclipse?
First, there are two types of solar eclipses: total and annular, according to NASA. These events occur when the moon and sun are the same angular size. The sun is 400 times wider than the moon, but also 400 times farther away.
Total solar eclipse: This happens when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, completely blocking the sun from Earth’s view. The sky will grow darker as the moon covers more and more of the sun. This is typically the only eclipse where viewers can remove their solar-filtered glasses while looking at the sky for a brief moment.
Annular solar eclipse: In this eclipse, the moon again passes between the sun and earth, but it’s at it’s farthest point from earth. Due to this, the shadow of the moon cannot completely block the sun. This effect creates a ring of light around the moon.
How is this total solar eclipse different from the one in 2017?
Around 215 million people in the U.S. saw the last total solar eclipse either directly or virtually, which occurred on Aug. 21, 2017. The path of totality for the upcoming solar eclipse is wider than the previous one, and it will be passing through more populated areas, allowing an increased number of people to view it. And at any given moment, the eclipse will cover more ground, as the path will be up to 51 miles wider than it was in 2017.
In 2017, the longest time of totality seen was in Carbondale, IL, at 2 minutes and 42 seconds. In two months, some areas will see totality for over four minutes.
According to NASA, the sun will be near its solar maximum, or have more activity. Viewers may be lucky enough to see prominences, which look like bright pink curls coming from the sun. With the right timing, some may even witness a large eruption of solar material during the eclipse.
On top of this, NASA is conducting further research using information they gathered seven years ago. Two spacecrafts will give insight from the sun’s corona, combining it with observations from Earth to compare views. There are also several research initiatives that will study the sun’s influence on Earth.
What to expect in a total solar eclipse
To get the full experience, it’s recommended to observe within the path of totality. The sun goes through several stages before the moon fully covers it.
The first stage is the partial eclipse. This is the longest stage, as it is the process by which the moon covers only a portion of the sun, creating a crescent shape. It usually lasts between 70 and 80 minutes. The moment the moon first covers the sun is known as “first contact.”
Next, spectators may see what are called shadow bands. NASA describes this as “rapidly moving, long, dark bands separated by white spaces that can be seen on the sides of buildings or the ground just before and after totality.” The upper atmosphere of the earth distorts the light, affecting the shadows of things we see on the ground.
Bailey’s beads occur when there are several little points of light shining around the horizon of the moon. Sometimes, this may not last long enough to be visible.
Moments before totality, the last of the light shining on the moon’s horizon becomes one large, bright spot, resembling the name of the phase, a diamond ring.
Finally, there is no more light shining on the moon’s horizon, and totality is achieved, also known as “second contact.” During this, there may be a thin, pink circle around the moon, which is the chromosphere, and the corona shines a white light on the outer parts.
In totality, NASA recommends not just looking up at the sun and moon but also observing the environment around you. It will look like it’s dusk outside, some planets may be more visible than others in the sky, the temperature can drop 10 degrees, and there’s often an eerie silence.
After totality, all the phases mentioned before will go in reverse, giving you more opportunity to take it all in.
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A partial solar eclipse is seen as the sun rises behind the United States Capitol Building, Thursday, June 10, 2021, as seen from Arlington, Virginia. The annular or “ring of fire” solar eclipse is only visible to some people in Greenland, Northern Russia, and Canada. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls) -
Solar eclipse shadow bands. Photo courtesy of NASA. -
The Baily’s Beads effect is seen as the Moon makes its final move over the Sun during the total solar eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017 above Madras, Oregon. This effect occurs when gaps in the Moon’s rugged terrain allows sunlight to pass through in some places just before the total phase of the eclipse.
Photo Credit:
(NASA/Aubrey Gemignani) -
The diamond-ring effect occurred at the beginning and end of totality during a total solar eclipse. As the last bits of sunlight pass through the valleys on the moon’s limb, and the faint corona around the sun is just becoming visible, it looks like a ring with glittering diamonds on it. Credit: (NASA/Carla Thomas) -
Solar eclipse in totality. Photo courtesy of NASA. -
Solar eclipse over Oregon. Photo courtesy of NASA.
How to safely and properly view the eclipse
While viewing the eclipse, it’s important to remember to take safety precautions to ensure your eyes or your camera aren’t damaged in the process.
The only safe way to look at an eclipse is with solar-purpose filters, according to the American Astronomical Society. These filters are 1,000 times darker than sunglasses, allowing spectators to properly look at the sun.
Just like eyes, cameras also need protection before capturing a photo of the sun, as it can ruin the sensor within the lens. Along with this, if the solar filter is not used correctly, concentrated solar rays have the potential to damage the filter and, rather, enter your eye. The filter must be placed in front of the lens, but it is also recommended to speak with an expert to ensure proper use.
Filters should be checked for any scratches, punctures, or other damage before use. Those who wear prescription glasses should keep those on and put the solar filter in front of their glasses.
Solar filters must be used before and after totality. Only when the moon is completely covering the sun can filters be removed.
Witnessing a total solar eclipse is an exciting time, so plan now to get the full experience, as the next one will be Aug. 23, 2044.