What you need to know: The first total solar eclipse viewable from Missouri in 148 years will darken skies Aug. 21
<p class="p1">Unless you’ve been living on the moon, you’ve likely heard that in less than two weeks North Americans will be given quite a celestial show. Those in Ozark County will be joining people all over the country as they tilt their heads toward the sky for one of nature’s most awe-inspiring events – a total eclipse of the sun. The event will be the first total eclipse viewable from the United States since 1979, and the first viewable total eclipse from the Show-Me State since 1869. The next total solar eclipse won’t darken the North American skies until April 2024.</p><p class="p3">We’ve gathered the basics of what you need to know to enjoy this historic event.</p><p class="p2"> </p><p class="p4"><strong>What? When? Where?</strong></p><p class="p3">On Aug. 21, the moon will pass between the sun and the Earth, blocking all or part of the sun from view, depending on the viewer’s location. The event will last about three hours from beginning to end, according to NASA. Why is this such a big deal? It’s the first time North Americans have had an opportunity to see a total eclipse of the sun in 38 years, and the first time a total eclipse is viewable in Missouri in 148 years.</p><p class="p3">The eclipse will be viewable to some degree from anywhere in North America, but the 70-mile-wide path of eclipse “totality,” in which the moon completely covers the sun, will provide an especially unique spectacle. </p><p class="p3">The moon’s shadow will be traveling at about 1,700 miles per hour across the U.S. from west to east. The first point of land contact will be Lincoln Beach, Oregon, at 9:05 a.m. Pacific time, with totality beginning at 10:16 a.m. The eclipse will then cross through Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and North and South Carolina, ending its path near Charleston at 2:48 p.m. Eastern time. Carbondale, Illinois, will see the longest duration of eclipse with a total time of the sun coverage clocking in at around 2 minutes and 40 seconds. </p><p class="p3">Ozark Countians can expect to see the eclipse around 1:15 p.m., when 95 to 96 percent of the sun will be eclipsed by the moon. </p><p class="p2"><strong> </strong></p><p class="p3"><strong>What happens during a total eclipse?</strong></p><p class="p3">“Daylight is a cue for birds throughout their day to wake up in the morning and return to roost at night,” said Missouri Department of Conservation ornithologist Sarah Kendrick. “As the sky becomes darker during the eclipse, some birds may become confused by the lack of light and could exhibit odd behaviors such as going quiet, thinking that night is falling.”</p><p class="p3">Under a clear sky during a total eclipse, stars may briefly appear, scientists say. One report describing the Aug. 7, 1869, total eclipse as experienced in Iowa said the temperature fell from 105.4 degrees to 76.5 degrees and strong air currents were felt as the temperatures fell.</p><p class="p2"> </p><p class="p3"><strong>Taking in the eclipse safely</strong></p><p class="p3">The biggest safety concern involved with the upcoming eclipse is potential damage to viewers’ eyes. It’s crucial that you never look directly at the sun without proper eye protection. And during the eclipse, proper eye protection does not mean ordinary sunglasses.</p><p class="p3">Special NASA-approved eclipse-viewing glasses can be purchased from Roy’s Store in Ozark County as part of the “Eclipse Child Abuse” fundraiser for the 37th Judicial Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program. The glasses are $5 each or three pairs for $10. Local residents have said they’ve also purchased eclipse-viewing glasses from Lowes, WalMart and Casey’s General Store in Mountain Home, Arkansas, and at Hirsch Feed and Farm Supply in West Plains. </p><p class="p3">The Missouri State Highway Patrol has issued a warning that many areas within the totality path will probably have an influx of perhaps thousands of visitors, and motorists should be prepared for the extra traffic on roadways in those areas. Some NASA representatives are predicting that Aug. 21 will be one of the worst traffic days in national history.</p><p class="p3">For example, the state government has announced that non-essential executive department state offices in Cole County will be closed Aug. 21 because Jefferson City is considered one of the best places for viewing the total solar eclipse, and up to 50,000 visitors are expected in the city that day, causing an expected “substantial congestion in area traffic and a strain on downtown parking,” according to a news release from the state Office of Administration. Jeff City has been chosen by NASA TV as one of seven locations across the U.S. from which NASA will broadcast the eclipse live. </p><p class="p3">MSHP asks drivers throughout the state to refrain from stopping along the interstate or parking on the shoulder of a highway to view the eclipse. It also urges motorists to be sure to turn their vehicles’ headlights in the on position while driving instead of relying on the automatic headlight setting, to never wear eclipse-viewing glasses while driving and to watch out for pedestrians alongside the roadways. </p><p class="p3">Another NASA website offers directions for making an indirect eclipse viewer from a cereal box during the partial phase of the eclipse. Visit https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov. </p><p class="p2"> </p><p class="p3"><strong>Viewing the almost-total eclipse from Ozark County</strong></p><p class="p3">With Ozark County experiencing an eclipse of nearly 96 percent totality, paired with low light pollution and lots of wide-open spaces, many residents are choosing to stay home to view the historic event rather than venturing elsewhere into the path of totality. </p><p class="p3">If you’re staying here, all you really need is a clear view of the sun. And because the eclipse will be arriving in early afternoon, most locations will likely have a good view. The Caney Mountain Conservation Area, located on Highway 181 about 8 miles north of Gainesville, has some scenic overlooks that could prove to be nice spots. Areas on or overlooking Bull Shoals Lake, Norfork Lake, Bryant Creek or the North Fork River are also expected to be good locations for eclipse viewing. </p><p class="p3">If you’re unable to take the day off work during the Monday eclipse, just step outside the office door into an open parking lot, and you’ll likely get a good view of the show. </p><p class="p3">And if you can’t do even that, NASA’s website will be streaming the eclipse live at https://www.nasa.gov/eclipselive.</p><p class="p2"> </p><p class="p3"><strong>Best viewing locations for totality</strong></p><p class="p3">Why travel to see the eclipse in totality? It’s an experience like no other, experts say. Those in the totality range can expect the outdoor temperature to drop, birds to stop chirping, nocturnal animals to become active and “Baily’s beads” (small points of sunlight) to shine through valleys around the edge of the moon just a few seconds before totality and planets near the sun to be visible in the darkened sky. </p><p class="p3">In Missouri, the “totality” range will include a number of major cities that are gearing up for the event. St. Joseph, which will experience 2 minutes and 39 seconds of totality, expects its Resorcin’s Memorial Airport to be a widely attended viewing area. Numerous telescopes will be on hand for viewing, and astronomers will be able to answer questions and discuss what is happening scientifically, according the the Springfield News-Leader. </p><p class="p3">Kansas City and St. Louis are also in the path of totality, and St. Clair will be the venue for the Darkening of the Sun outdoor music festival. If skies are clear, festival goers will experience 2 minutes and 40 seconds of complete darkness. </p><p class="p3">Columbia, which will experience 2 minutes and 30 seconds of total eclipse, is planning a free Totality Music Fest and other events, while a 36-mile Total Eclipse of the Katy Trail Bicycle Ride is planned on the nearby Katy Trail.</p><p class="p3">The Missouri Department of Conservation is also recommending a number of conservation areas within prime viewing territory of the total eclipse. The five closest MDC areas to Ozark County in the totality range include:</p><p class="p3">Huzzah Conservation Area in Crawford County, about 158 miles from Gainesville; </p><p class="p3">Scrivner Road Conservation Area, south of Russellville, about 165 miles from Gainesville; </p><p class="p3">Buford Mountain Conservation Area near Belleview Valley, about 170 miles from Gainesville; </p><p class="p3">Painted Rock Conservation Area, near Westphalia in Osage County, about 174 miles from Gainesville; and</p><p class="p3">Millstream Gardens Conservation Area between Fredericktown and Arcadia, about 175 miles from Gainesville. </p><p class="p3">For a complete look at the Missouri Conservation areas within the totality range, visit nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/activities/nature-viewing/2017-solar-eclipse. </p><p class="p2"> </p><p class="p3"><strong>Students viewing the eclipse at local schools</strong></p><p class="p3">All Ozark County public schools will be in session at the time of the eclipse, and school officials are working on or considering arrangements for students to view the eclipse while at school. </p><p class="p3">Bakersfield superintendent Amy Britt and Lutie superintendent Scot Young said their districts are planning to bring students outside to view the eclipse. Both schools have ordered NASA-approved eclipse-viewing glasses and will send permission slips home with students to have signed before Aug. 21. Britt says Bakersfield students will also be celebrating the historic event by having a “black-out” day in which students are encouraged to dress in all black.</p><p class="p3">Gainesville, Thornfield and Mark Twain school officials told the Times Monday that while they also hope to make arrangements for students to view the eclipse, they are currently talking through the logistical and liability concerns involved with the event and cannot say for sure if their students will be able to view the eclipse at school. </p>
<p class="p1">The map above shows the 70-mile-wide path of totality the Aug. 21 eclipse will take diagonally across Missouri. St. Joseph, Kansas City, Columbia, Jefferson City and St. Louis are among the major cities in the totality range. The nearest Missouri Department of Conservation Areas within the totality range include these sites, which correspond with the numbers on the map above. 1. Scrivner Conservation Area, 2. Painted Rock Conservation Area, 3. Huzzah Conservation Area, 4. Buford Mountain Conservation Area, 5. Millstream Gardens Conservation Area. Viewers in Ozark County will be able to see an eclipse of nearly 96 percent totality around 1:15 p.m. that day. Those viewing should wear NASA-approved eclipse-viewing glasses to avoid eye damage and look toward the sky in an open area such as a field or parking lot. </p>
