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Total Solar Eclipse 2017

By Gail Keller - Publisher Macaroni Kid JoCo / KCK July 27, 2017

Have you been asking these questions? What are your plans for the eclipse? Where will you watch the total solar eclipse in the Kansas City Metro?  Are you taking the kids out of school?  


On Monday, August 21, 2017 a total solar eclipse will take place across the entire United States. Not since 1918 has this phenomenon, when the moon completely blocks the sun, been visible in Kansas. The exact path of the upcoming 2017 solar eclipse can be seen on the NASA website.  You can type in your exact location on the www.howtoeclipse.com website to see how close the 2017 total solar eclipse will be to your location.  To learn the science and safety of an eclipse, read All You Need To Know About This Summer's Total Solar Eclipse

Unfortunately, in Johnson County you will only be able to see a partial (99.8%) solar eclipse and Kansas City, Kansas will be right on the edge of totality. In order to witness 100% total solar eclipse, you will need to drive a bit. Travel to the center of the eclipse path for the longest viewing of totality, a max of 2 minutes and 40 seconds.  But use caution when preparing for your outing. News outlets are estimating cities like St. Joseph, Missouri are expecting 50,000 or more visitors on Monday the 21st of August. Across the country there is much hype that this will be the worst traffic day of the year. 

Whether you plan to stay close to home or venture out to the center of the path, planning is key. Here are some publicly listed* events to help in your decision making.   Want to add your event to our list, just message me the details at gailk{at}macaronikid{dot}com


Johnson County, Kansas: Partial Solar Eclipse Watch Events (99+%)

Lenexa - Lenexa Commons 11 am - 3 pm. Educational activities, food truck and more. First 200 people get free solar eclipse glasses.

Overland Park - Museum at Prairiefire Watch Party 11:30 am – 2:30 pm. This event is for all ages with families encouraged to experience totality together! Enjoy arts and crafts tables, solar eclipse mythology stories, make your own eclipse view lenses and more!

Olathe Ernie Miller Nature Center. 12 - 1:30 pm. Learn about why eclipses happen an what it meant historically. In the event of clouds, viewing will be streamed from another location. Reservation required and includes a pair of eclipse viewing glasses. This event is $8 per person, $9 nonresidents. Ages 5 and under free. 

Merriam, Olathe and Shawnee - Johnson County Parks. 11:30 am - 1:30 pm.  Bring your blankets and chairs and purchase lunch from local food trucks. The first 200 people at each park will receive a free pair of solar eclipse viewing glasses. Antioch Park (shelter 2), Heritage Park (shelter 1), Theatre in the Park


Kansas City, Kansas:  Partial Solar Eclipse Watch Events (Almost 100%)


Kansas: Total Solar Eclipse Watch Events (100%)

Atchison, Kansas: Starting at 11:40 am. Total Phase at 1:06 pm, duration 2 minutes, 19 seconds. Festivals, music, food, activities and more.

  • ​Amelia Earhart Airport - Eclipse Aire Fest Price range $10 per car to VIP $30/person
  • Benedictine College – The Great American Eclipse 
  • Mount St. Scholastica – “Eclipses, Einstein and the Fabric of Our Souls” Retreat $350+/person

Leavenworth, Kansas: Starting at 11:40 am. Total Phase at 1:07 pm, duration 1 minute, 40 seconds. 

Lansing, Kansas: Starting at 1:07 pm, duration 58 seconds

  • Lansing Community Library - Picnic in the Parking Lot. Back your picnic, solar glasses, chairs and watch from the parking lot


Missouri: Total Solar Eclipse Watch Events (100%)

Excelsior Springs, MO:

Lathrop, MO

Liberty, MO:

St. Joseph, MO:

Missouri State Parks

Osbourne, MO

Weston, MO:

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