On August 21, 2017 at 1:18pm Perry County will experience a total solar eclipse giving locals some of the greatest viewing time across the United States at two minutes forty seconds of totality. In anticipation of the Great American Eclipse of 2017 the City of Perryville has officially begun the daunting but extremely exciting task of planning for the astronomical event. Unlike many small rural communities in Missouri, Perryville has a unique front row seat to possibly the greatest solar eclipse the United States has or ever will see. But with that amazing view comes many decisions to make concerning the great influx of people that will also want to witness this spectacular natural event. With a city population of 8,225 and a county population totaling 18,971, Perryville will be ready to … [Read more...] about Total Eclipse of the Heartland
Archives for May 2017
It’s A Big Deal
It really is a big deal. Totally! On August 21, 2017, the Great American Eclipse will stream across our beautiful Perry County sky casting the moon’s shadow down on us turning our day into night and thousands of people will be looking up at that glorious corona with wonder and amazement. I’m told it is a very emotional experience. Some people will cheer, some will cry and most will be speechless after it has passed not knowing exactly how to describe what they just witnessed. Eclipses aren’t rare, as a matter of fact most calendar years have at least four eclipses, which is the minimum number of eclipses that must take place in a year. Two of these four eclipses must be solar while the other two will be lunar. It’s easy to get these two types mixed up. An easy way to remember the … [Read more...] about It’s A Big Deal
It’s Your Practice Day!
All the preparations, all the excitement and all the planning that is going into this Great American Eclipse event on August 21, 2017 will certainly pay off with an amazing experience. But if you want to see if your special spot or secret location in Perry County is in fact perfect then you want to be there on practice day, April 20, 2017. When astronomers give the Sun’s position, they use the two celestial coordinates, right ascension and declination. These two values roughly correspond to latitude and longitude on Earth. On August 21st, the Sun’s declination will be approximately, 11 degrees 51’. So, if you want to “practice” observing the Sun where it will be on eclipse day head to your “spot” on April 20th. The Sun’s path through the sky will be the same as it will be on eclipse … [Read more...] about It’s Your Practice Day!
Perry County Is All In
As August 21, 2017 and the Great American Eclipse draws closer I would like to reach out to the businesses that I may have not been able to talk to through various Perryville Area Chamber of Commerce eclipse presentations I have done for their membership. During the eclipse weekend, August 18-21 Perryville will experience not only the Great American Eclipse but also an influx of people wanting to be as close to the center line of totality as possible. With the people will come the need for lodging, gas, food, snacks, groceries and many other items of personal necessities. Use this celestial phenomenon as an economic opportunity and think ahead business wise. If you are in the hospitality industry plan a special “eclipse” themed dish, appetizer or special cosmic concoction to attract … [Read more...] about Perry County Is All In
