NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio When Is It?For several hours, you can watch as the moon slowly covers the sun, leading up to a 4-minute window of “totality” starting locally around 1:59 CDT. During totality, the moon will completely cover the sun.Safe Eclipse ViewingIt is never safe to look directly at the sun without eclipse rated eye protection. The one exception is during totality, which lasts only a few minutes. At all other times, the light of the sun can cause permanent eye damage after only a few seconds of unprotected viewing.It is safe to view the eclipse with specially designed solar filters, such as "eclipse glasses." "Eclipse glasses" that are over 3 years old, or have scratches or holes in them should not be used. Homemade filters and ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun. Visit the eclipse safety page to find answers to common eclipse safety questions. What to Expect in the ParkStay tuned for more event details.
NPS/Brian Poffenberger What Is a Solar Eclipse?A total solar eclipse is a lineup of the sun, the moon, and Earth. The moon will be directly between the sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth. Totality (total eclipse) occurs when the moon covers the entirety of the sun except for the corona, or sun’s atmosphere. The longest total eclipse time occurs at the center line, where you experience the moon’s shadow’s full width. Outside the cone or umbra, viewers will experience a partial eclipse. What If I Miss It?The next opportunities to experience a total solar eclipse over the United States will be in 2044 (in North Dakota and Montana) and 2045 (as it crosses from California to Florida). Learn MoreFor more in-depth information about upcoming eclipses and other celestial events, visit the NASA Eclipses page.For local events and information, visit the Ste. Genevieve Tourism website. |
Last updated: November 4, 2023