When is this eclipse visible from St. Louis?
The eclipse will take place on Monday August 21, 2017. The partial phase will begin at in the late morning at 11:52am. Totality will last from 1:16-1:19pm. The eclipse will end at 2:44pm. All Missourians should be encouraged to go outside during lunchtime and observe the eclipse.
Where is the best place to observe the eclipse?
A partial eclipse will be visible over the entire United States, more than 500 million people in the US, Canada and Mexico will have a chance to see it! However, the real spectacle will be the total eclipse which will be visible in a 110km wide path running from Oregon to South Carolina. The path will cut across Missouri from St. Joseph in the west to Ste. Genevieve in the east. 57 of Missouri’s 105 largest cities lie in the path of totality. More than 2 million Missourians live in this path! 24 of Missouri’s 53 largest Colleges and Universities are in the path with a student population of more than 130,000 students. See the following NASA website for more information.
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEplot/SEplot2001/SE2017Aug21T.GIF
Can I safely view the eclipse?
During the total eclipse phase, the Sun is safe to observe with the unaided eye. In fact, the overall brightness of the Sun is expected to decrease to that of a Full Moon. The sky will darken like nightfall and bright stars and planets may be visible for the 2 minutes of totality! During the partial eclipse phase, safe methods for viewing the Sun must be used. These methods are described on the internet and found in books at your local library. Safe methods include: special “eclipse glasses”; and pin-hole projection. UNSAFE methods include: Sunglasses; Mylar Balloons or Food Wrappers; Smoked Glass; X-Ray Film; Film Negatives; and CDs. See the following NASA Website for more safety information.
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhelp/safety2.html
Can I safely photograph the eclipse?
Still or video photography can be an enjoyable way to document the eclipse. Don’t forget to capture audio as the crowd oohs and aahs. Protect your camera the same as your eyes, use only special “solar filters” when photographing the Sun. Photography guidebooks can be found at your local library, camera shop, or on-line.
Which Missouri Cities and Towns are in the path?
In alphabetical order, the following cities and towns are at least partially in the path for totality: Arnold, Ballwin, Blue Springs, Bonne Terre, Boonville, Brentwood, Cameron, Cape Girardeau, Chesterfield, Chillicothe, Columbia, Crestwood, Creve Coeur, Dardenne Prairie, Des Peres, Ellisville, Eureka, Excelsior Springs, Farmington, Festus, Fulton, Gladstone, Grain Valley, Independence, Jackson, Jefferson City, Kearney, Kirkwood, Ladue, Lake St. Louis, Liberty, Manchester, Maplewood, Marshall, Mexico, Moberly, Oak Grove, Pacific, Park Hills, Perryville, Richmond Heights, Sedalia, Smithville, St. Joseph, Sullivan, Sunset Hills, Town and Country, Union, Warrenton, Washington, Webster Groves, Wentzville, Wildwood
Which Missouri Colleges and Universities are in the path?
In order of student enrollment, the following colleges and universities are at least partially in the path for totality: University of Missouri, Columbia; St. Louis Community College; St. Charles Community College; University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg; Moberly Area Community College; Jefferson College, Hillsboro; Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph; State Fair Community College, Sedalia; East Central College, Union; Missouri Baptist University, St. Louis; Mineral Area College, Park Hills; Maryville University, Town and Country; Lincoln University, Jefferson City; Columbia College, Columbia; William Woods University, Fulton; Missouri Valley College, Marshall; Wentworth Military Academy, Lexington; Park University, Parkville; Westminster College, Fulton; William Jewell College, Liberty; Central Methodist University, Fayette; Stephens College, Columbia