Ste. Geneviève

2024 Total Solar Eclipse

 
Map featuring the path of the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse passing over the state of Missouri.
An excerpt of a NASA map shows the path and timing of the eclipse over Missouri.

NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio

On Monday, April 8, 2024, Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park will experience a total solar eclipse. A total eclipse occurs when the moon appears to totally obscure the sun. On average, this occurs somewhere on Earth only once every 1.5 years. The last total solar eclipse visible in Missouri was in 2017. The next one to pass over Missouri is predicted for 2045. However, only a tiny portion of southwest Missouri will be in totality.

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 Viewing

It 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 Park

Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park will be joining community partners to offer a viewing event hosted at the Ste. Genevieve County Community Center (21390 Highway 32 Ste. Genevieve, MO) from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, April 8. At the event, you'll be able to:

  • Pick up a Eclipse Explorer Junior Ranger book and a solar filter, complete the book, and earn your badge. The standard Ste. Genevieve Junior Ranger book will not be available at the viewing event but will be available at the Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center.
  • Experience the eclipse through a LightSound device that translates light into sound.
  • 4th graders with a printed voucher can pick up an Every Kid Outdoors pass.
  • Learn about the eclipse through activities offered by other Ste. Genevieve educational organizations.
  • Enjoy the total eclipse with the community of Ste. Genevieve, MO!

The Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center will be open throughout the day with a short pause in operations for staff and visitors alike to head outside and view the eclipse as it reaches totality. Since park rangers will be busy providing educational programming about the total eclipse and ensuring the safety of our visitors, house programs will not be offered that day. You can find out more about our program schedule by checking our web calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Where can I get the Eclipse Explorer Junior Ranger book?
    The Eclipse Explorer Junior Ranger book will be available at both the Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center and the National Park Service Junior Ranger station at the Ste. Genevieve County Community Center on April 8th. Other parks in the path of the eclipse also have the books available. A full list can be found on the Eclipse Explorer Junior Ranger web page.
  • Can you mail me a copy of the Eclipse Explorer Junior Ranger book ahead of time?
    Due to the limited quantity available, we will only be providing the Eclipse Explorer Junior Ranger book on the day of the event. A digital copy is available to download or print at home on the Eclipse Explorer Junior Ranger web page.
  • Will you have solar filters or eclipse glasses available?
    On April 8th, a limited number of free solar filter viewers will be available on a first come, first serve basis at the Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center and at the National Park Service Junior Ranger station at the Ste. Genevieve County Community Center.
  • Do I need a reservation for the eclipse viewing event?
    The event hosted at the Ste. Genevieve County Community Center does not require reservations. Other eclipse events in the community may. More information about local events can be found at visitstegen.com.
  • Where can I park?
    Parking for the viewing event will be available at the Ste. Genevieve County Community Center. Additional parking is available throughout the city of Ste. Genevieve. A trolley will be operating to transport visitors from Downtown Ste. Genevieve and overflow parking to the Ste. Genevieve County Community Center.
  • How can I get from the Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center to the Ste. Genevieve County Community Center where the event is being held?
    A trolley will be operating to transport visitors from Downtown Ste. Genevieve to the Ste. Genevieve County Community Center. The Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center will be one of the trolley stops. The trolley will run from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Preparing for the Eclipse

Join us and our partners as we prepare for the total eclipse! Programs about what an eclipse is, how to view it safely, and what will be available in Ste. Genevieve on April 8th will be offered throughout March and the first week of April. These programs will be hosted at Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park, Ste. Genevieve Museum Learning Center, Felix Vallé State Historic Site, and the Ste. Genevieve County Library.

 
Image of a full solar eclipse, with only the corona of the sun visable.
Total Solar Eclipse from 2017.

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 More

For 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.
 
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    Last updated: April 6, 2024

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    Contact Info

    Mailing Address:

    Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park
    339 St. Marys Road

    Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670

    Phone:

    573-880-7189

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