Chris Auffenberg

The 2017 solar eclipse is coming soon and people are getting excited. You might start hearing terms thrown around that you don’t understand, like path of totality, and we are here to help. The path of totality is a term coined for a specific 70-mile-wide path across the U.S. from Oregon to South Carolina. The path of totality is significant because anyone inside the path at the time of the eclipse on August 21st will be able to see a total solar eclipse, where the moon completely blocks the sun. Anyone outside of the path of totality will only be able to view a partial solar eclipse. Luckily for Missouri residents, part of Missouri resides inside the path. So, where are the best places to watch the solar eclipse in Missouri? Keep reading to find out.

Best Places to Watch the Solar Eclipse in Missouri

The very best place in Missouri to view the eclipse is the city of St. Joseph which falls just about in the center of the path of totality. This means that the people in St. Joseph will be able to experience totality (when the sun is completely covered) for a generous 2 minutes and 38 seconds. The cities of Marshall, Boonville, Columbia, and Jefferson City are also great candidates with totality viewing times between 2 minutes and 27 seconds and 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

How long will the solar eclipse last?

The length of time you will be able to see the total solar eclipse will depend on where you are viewing it from. The longest length of time the total eclipse will be visible for is around 2 minutes and 43 seconds and the shortest is under a minute. During that time, expect the sky to darken, stars to be visible, and the temperature to drop. From the time the eclipse begins in Oregon to the time it ends in South Carolina will take about an hour and a half.

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