ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis region on April 8, 2024, will fall within the path of a total solar eclipse. It will be two decades before the contiguous U.S. sees another total solar eclipse, according to NASA.
A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth at just the right moment. During a total eclipse, the moon blocks all of the sun's light, creating a brief moment of darkness in the middle of the day.
The eclipse will start at about 12:40 p.m. locally on April 8, with totality in some areas at about 2 p.m.
In St. Louis, the moon will block out nearly 99% of the sun in St. Louis, but totality will be visible just a short trip away from the city. Several cities in the Bi-State, such as Ste. Genevieve, Perryville and Farmington in Missouri and Mount Vernon, Carbondale and Centralia in Illinois, will experience 2-4 minutes of daytime darkness.
RELATED: Here are some of the best spots in the Bi-state to see totality during the 2024 solar eclipse
Are schools closing for the solar eclipse?
Because the eclipse will fall during the school day, some school districts across the St. Louis region are dismissing students early or giving them day off to make it easier for families who want to experience the rare solar event together.
Here are some area schools who are celebrating the solar eclipse with time off for students:
Missouri
- Altenburgh Public School – No school
- Arcadia Valley R-II School District - No school
- Belleview R-III School District – No school for students
- Bismark R-5 School District – No school
- Centerville R-I School District - No school for students
- Central R-III School District – No school
- Crawford County R-I School District – No school for students
- Farmington School District – No school
- Festus R-VI School District – No school
- Jefferson R-VII School District – No school
- Kingston K-14 School District – No school
- Newburgh R-II School District – No school
- Perry County School District 32 – No school
- Richwoods R-VII School District – No school for students
- South Iron R-I School District – No school
- Southern Reynolds County R-II – No school for students
- St. Genevieve R-II School District – No school
- Steelville R-III School District – No school for students
- Valley R-VI School District - No school for students
Illinois
- Alton Community Unit School District No. 11 – Early dismissal for students
- Centreville R-I School District – No school for students
- Waterloo Community Unit School District No. 5 – No school
School administrators: Is your district closing or dismissing early on April 8 but not on the list? Send us an email.
To watch 5 On Your Side broadcasts or reports 24/7, 5 On Your Side is always streaming on 5+. Download for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV or the Apple TV App Store.