Eclipse Expo coming to Show-Me Center in July

What is the big deal? Are eclipses rare? What is the difference between an annual, lunar, or total solar eclipse? How is this eclipse different from the one we saw in 2017?
Want to learn more about eclipses? Well, here is your chance to learn the answers to these questions and so many others. The Missouri Eclipse Taskforce will host the Missouri Eclipse Expo at the Show-Me Center in Cape Girardeau on July 22, 2023, from 10am-5pm. Come and spend the day with eclipse experts from around the country!
We have a star-studded panel of nationally recognized speakers and eclipse experts in their fields that will be presenting on various topics surrounding the 2024 Great North American Eclipse. Helio physicists from NASA will be there along with Mr. Eclipse himself, Fred Espenak. If you want to learn more about the cool maps you have seen from the Great American Eclipse website, Mr. Michael Zeiler will be there visiting with attendees. Many of the cities, towns and communities within the path that are planning presentations, events, and activities in their area will have booths. We will have the people there that can help you find the perfect eclipse viewing location, group destinations to view the eclipse, tips on how to photograph the eclipse, important points on community planning for the eclipse, and how schools can use this event as an amazing teaching tool. You can inquire about how your school can get free eclipse glasses and meet a NASA scientist while learning more about the sun, the moon, and the planets. Check out our giant earth balloon and discover why animals act the way they do during an eclipse.

Weather permitting, astronomy clubs and organizations will have solar telescopes set up outside the Show-Me Center as you enter for safe public viewing. If you have never looked through a sun spotter or a solar telescope at the sun and saw solar spots or solar flares this is your opportunity to try something new that is fun and educational for all ages. I guarantee that you will not be the only one wanting to look through them and these folks love to talk solar.
Upon entering you will be given a swag bag of cool stuff and then you can browse the 80+ booths. Located near the giant earth globe will be ten to twelve interactive stations where you can do fun science and solar activities. These activities can range from eclipse chalk drawings to solar funnels, pin hole projectors to paper sundials incorporating art, music and more. So, make sure you get signed up for some of those fun activities or pick up some cool ideas for your own eclipse party to do with family and friends!
To find out more information about the Great North American Eclipse or to sign up for your free ticket(s) for the Missouri Eclipse Expo visit moeclipse.org or email trish@perryvillemo.com.