OREGON COUNTY, Mo. – Missouri will temporarily open a new state park on the day of the solar eclipse for a public viewing event in the path of totality.

Officials from Missouri State Parks are inviting the public to an observation event at Eleven Point State Park on April 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The park is located at 10418 State Hwy Y in Couch, Missouri.

The solar eclipse is expected to reach totality just before 2 p.m. on the day of the event.

The eclipse viewing event is considered a soft opening for Eleven Point State Park. The park will be closed for an undetermined amount of time afterwards as Missouri state park officials plan out the next steps to open the park to the public for good. The park will also be closed every day leading up to the event.

2024 Solar Eclipse: These Missouri and Illinois cities offer the longest totality

During the upcoming solar eclipse, the moon will pass between the sun and the planet Earth. Totality happens during stages of the eclipse in which the moon’s shadow completely blocks the sun. Weather permitting, those in the path of totality, including Eleven Point State Park, will see the sky darken like a dawn or dusk color for a short period of time.

A conceptual development planning open house for the park will follow the eclipse observance. According to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the public is also encouraged to attend the open house to learn more about the planning process for the park and offer feedback on long-range development plans.

People are encouraged to leave feedback through a public survey. A 30-day comment period around the survey will begin on April 7.

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Friendly reminder: When the moon completely covers the sun in a totality phase of the solar eclipse, it is safe to look directly at the phenomenon without wearing glasses. In partial phases of the solar eclipse, it is unsafe to look directly at the sun without proper eye protection, such as certified eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers.

Totality and eclipse impacts will come between the 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. CT hours on April 8 in Missouri and Illinois.To find out more about eclipse timing and phases in your area, use this zip code tracker from USA Today.

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