by Don Corrigan
Lots of “iffy” New Year’s predictions are being made for 2024. One sure bet prediction is that the sun will disappear on April 8, 2024. It will be the second solar eclipse for parts of Missouri in less than a decade.
Area astronomy clubs, school science programs and libraries have already got their sights set on a repeat of events that took place on Aug. 21, 2017. A highlight of that event was telescope viewing opportunities in St. Louis.
It’s not too early to start making plans. In fact, it may be too late if you want to get the full eclipse experience available in locales like Cape Girardeau or Carbondale, Illinois. Hotels and campsites are already posting “No Vacancy.”
Many in the St. Louis area will have a front row seat for a partial solar eclipse. There will be some amount of sky darkening, but there will be no corona and no totality, as in August 2017.
During the 2017 eclipse, viewing activities were held at such locations as Jefferson Barracks Park, 345 North Road; The Saint Louis Science Center, 5050 Oakland Ave.; The Magic House, 516 S. Kirkwood Road; and Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, 7400 Grant Road.
Environmental Echo will be updating and confirming eclipse activities at these sites in March in preparation for the April 8, 2024 solar event. In 2017, one of the best viewing sites locally was atop the Valley Park Levee just west of St. louis and the suburb of Kirkwood.
“I studied beforehand on how you can get the best eclipse experience from a high place with unobstructed views,” explained Laurie Astroth at the 2017 eclipse. “I hike the trail on the Valley Park Levee all the time and immediately thought of this vantage point.”
Astroth of Kirkwood and her sister, Beth Garza, formerly of Kirkwood and now of Austin, Texas, were not disappointed. The levee afforded great views as the moon took out the sun and the sky grew ominously dark over the Meramec River Valley.
“The skies were as big for me as the actual eclipse,” said Astroth. “The quality of light was amazing. It wasn’t dusk. And it wasn’t dawn. It was a twilight zone and we half expected some aliens to land when the dark took over.”
Dave Anich of Chattanooga said he thought the levee perch was perfect. He was on his cell phone to relatives in Tennessee telling them what they could expect as the August 2017 eclipse headed southeast on its path through the United States.
Ed Craighead of Manchester set up his tripod and telescopic equipment on one of the highest points on the levee surrounding Valley Park. He offered all comers a view of the disappearing sun as the moon gobbled it up.
Safe Viewing Tips
• It’s never safe to look at the sun without protection, and the view leading up to a solar eclipse is no different. Wearing safe eyewear is essential. Even cameras and cell phones can be damaged by their view of the sun.
• No sunglasses, X-rays, undeveloped film or other homemade filters are safe for looking at the sun.
• Be sure eclipse glasses and hand-held solar viewers are certified (ISO 12312-2) to meet international safety standards. Certification should be printed inside. Inspect eclipse glasses before use.
• Supervise children using solar glasses.
• Individuals who normally wear eyeglasses should keep them on. Put eclipse glasses on over them, or hold a handheld viewer in front of them.
• Do not cover or remove eclipse glasses while looking at the sun. Always turn away for both steps.
• A total solar eclipse is about as bright as a full moon, and just as safe to look at, but totality passes quickly, and then filters are essential.
More information is available at www.eclipse.aas.org.
Expect Heavy Traffic
Upwards of a million people are expected to descend on Southeast Missouri for the total eclipse experience.
While most Missourians will view at least some of the solar eclipse, there is a path across southeast Missouri and southern Illinois where individuals can view a total solar eclipse.
Missouri’s Department of Transportation is advising motorists to expect heavy traffic on Missouri’s interstates and all roads inside the area of the total eclipse.
Extreme congestion is expected once the eclipse passes. Viewers of the eclipse should leave early for their viewing location, stay put and then leave late to avoid the heavy congestion after the eclipse.
Environmental Echo 