Solar Eclipse Expo
FRIDAY EVENING, July 21, 2023
”Panel discussion” on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University
ALL DAY SATURDAY, July 22, 2023
”Expo” at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, MO
To learn more about preparing for the 2023 and 2024 solar eclipses, visit our Missouri Eclipse Task Force Website
2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipses
On Saturday, October 14, 2023, and Monday, April 8, 2024, North America will experience two solar eclipses.
The October 14th solar eclipse will be a “partial eclipse” for Missouri, and a good chance to practice for the April 8, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse.
On April 8, 2024, portions of Southeast Missouri will experience more than four minutes of “totality”, nearly double the length of totality of the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse with all of Missouri experiencing a “partial eclipse”.
To help you get ready for these amazing events, the Missouri Eclipse Task Force is hosting an “Expo” in Cape Girardeau that kicks off with a panel discussion on Friday evening, July 21st and ends with an all-day expo on Saturday, July 22nd.
What is a “Total” Solar Eclipse?
In a total solar eclipse, the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun and casts its shadow on the Earth. Along the path of totality darkness will fall in the middle of the day. Planets and stars may appear. The temperature could drop up to 5 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius). Animals and insects may behave like nightfall has set.
The 2017 total solar eclipse was spectacular, but the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse offers the potential to be even better. Don’t miss it! The entire Midwest will not experience another total solar eclipse until August 2045, and SE Missouri will not experience another one for at least another 100 years.
Friday evening, July 21st Panel Discussion
On Friday night, July 21st, the Missouri Solar Eclipse Expo will “kickoff” with a panel discussion entitled “Get Ready for the 2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipses”. Panelists include a representative from NASA, eclipse expert Fred Espenak (“Mr. Eclipse”), a representative of the Missouri Department of Tourism, and a weather expert. The Panel Discussion will be held from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University with doors opening at 6:00 pm. Tickets are FREE, but seating is limited. A virtual participation option will be available for those unable to attend in person.
Saturday all day, July 22nd Expo
On Saturday, July 22nd, an all-day Missouri Solar Eclipse Expo will be held at the 30,000+ square foot Show Me Center located on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO. Exhibits, educational stations, two theaters of expert speakers, solar viewing (weather permitting), and door prizes are planned. Doors open at 10:00 am and close at 5:00 pm. Tickets are FREE if you pre-register, and $3.00 at the door.
The Show Me Center
Located on the north side of the beautiful campus of Southeast Missouri State University, the Show Me Center is home to the 2023 Eclipse Expo. The venue can hold up to 80 exhibitors and over 40,000 attendees.
Missouri Eclipse Task Force
The Missouri Eclipse Task Force was formed in 2019 to help Missouri get ready for the 2023 and 2024 solar eclipses. The task force is a collaboration of organizations ranging from civic, government, and businesses to amateur astronomy enthusiasts with the common theme that members are directly involved in planning eclipse related events for their respective organizations. Anyone representing an organization planning an eclipse event is welcome to participate in task force meetings which are held once each month.
Goals of the task force are as follows:
Inspire Missouri to experience the 2023 and 2024 eclipse events, in particular traveling to Southeast Missouri to be within the path of totality for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse,
Educate Missouri about the unique science, economic and personal viewing opportunities related to the eclipse.
Connect local entities to the significant number of eclipse related resources that are becoming available.
Map adapted by NationalEclipse.com from original at eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov
“An eclipse is one phenomenon that is actually more impressive from the ground.”
— Leroy Chiao, NASA Astronaut