By FRANK CAMPA
Mo. Dept. of Conservation
If you have not heard yet, we will be experiencing a total eclipse of the sun in Missouri on Aug. 21, which is only a few weeks away.
It will transect the state from northwest to southeast and only areas within its path or shadow will see the absolute total solar eclipse.
You might be asking, what does a total solar eclipse have to do with conservation; actually, quite a bit. Not only is this an opportunity to see a total solar eclipse, but it is also an opportunity to see how creatures in the wild respond to it in their natural environments.
There are 54 Missouri Department of Conservation areas that lie in the solar eclipse's primary path. Birds, for instance, says MDC State Ornithologist Sarah Kendrick, use "daylight as a cue throughout their day to wake up in the morning and return to roost at night. As the sky becomes darker during the eclipse, some birds may become confused by the lack of light and could exhibit odd behaviors, such as going quiet, thinking that night is falling."
As it gets dark, will bats come out? The eclipse may affect several types of strictly nocturnal or diurnal species for a very short time period. At one stationary point within the path of the total solar eclipse, total darkness from the sun is only expected to last a little less than three minutes.
Many of the featured MDC areas will also offer better viewing in a rural environment without glare from city lights. All of the recommended areas have restrooms for visitor convenience.
While all MDC areas are free to access and open to the public, some may require visitors to obtain a special-use permit for group camping.
To safely view the solar eclipse, using solar-eclipse- approved glasses is recommended. They are available in several locations, including the internet for as little as 20 pair for 99 cents. They look a lot like "3-D" glasses you may have used at the movie theatre.
For most Missourians, this total solar eclipse will be a once-in-a-lifetime event. The last total solar eclipse visible from Missouri was in 1869. The next solar eclipse, however, will be visible in only portions of Southeast Missouri in April of 2024. So, locally for those who may miss this opportunity to witness this solar eclipse from ideal viewing areas, we will get another opportunity in the future.
The total solar eclipse will occur in Cape Girardeau at approximately 1:20 p.m. on Aug. 21. Everyone should try to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime event. It will be one of those milestones that people will refer to in time to come and ask, "Where were you on Aug. 21, 2017, during the total eclipse of the sun?"