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What you saw, what you heard: St. Louis on the Air's total solar eclipse special

Did you hear? A major celestial event crossed the Missouri and Illinois skies on Monday, Aug. 21. St. Louis on the Air had you covered with a two-hour special during the eclipse.

From 12 – 2 p.m. on Monday, St. Louis on the Air host Don Marsh brought you a two-hour special program about the total solar eclipse, discussing the cultural, scientific, economic, and celestial phenomena.

Listeners and reporters from across the region described what they saw and heard. Scientists and researchers shared what they learned and we heard about eclipses from days of yore. Take a listen to relive the eclipse as-it happened. And scroll through the slideshow above to see what the eclipse looked like from around the region. 

Total Eclipse of the St. Louis on the Air! For two hours on Monday, we checked in with folks from across the region about what they were seeing, hearing and feeling as a total solar eclipse passed over Missouri and Illinois.

We want to hear from you: What did you see, hear, and learn from the eclipse? Where were you? Leave us a voicemail at 314-329-4937 with your insights, along with your first and last name and where you’re calling from. We may use your response on Tuesday's program. 

In the meantime, here’s a podcast playlist of St. Louis on the Air coverage of the eclipse up to this point. 

YOUR TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE ROAD TRIP PLAYLIST

1.  6 things to know about the Aug. 21 solar eclipse over St. Louis, from an author who has seen 5

Author David Baron is the definition of an umbraphile (an eclipse chaser). He’s traveled the world to see five and written a book about the scientific experiments surrounding the total solar eclipse of 1878, “American Eclipse: A Nation’s Epic Race to Catch the Shadow of the Moon and Win the Glory of the World.”

2. Solar Eclipse Eye Safety 101: 'How do I know if my solar eclipse glasses are legitimate?'

Rule #1: The only time it is safe to look directly at the sun is when the eclipse has reached totality. You’ll know that by the fact you won’t be able to see ~any light~ through your eclipse glasses at that point.

3. What did solar eclipses mean to people living in ancient times?

From Babylonians’ scientific tracking of eclipses to frequent myth and lore about the relationship between solar eclipses and animal feeding habits, we discussed how old views of solar eclipses impact our viewing of them today.

4. Want to be an amateur astronomer come the solar eclipse on Aug. 21? Here’s how.

What should you look for as the eclipse approaches totality? From Baily’s Beads to the solar corona, here’s how you can sound more knowledgeable than your friends.

5. Missouri-born NASA astronaut's insights into the Aug. 21 solar eclipse

What will Janet Kavandi, a Missouri-born former NASA astronaut and director of the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, be looking for as she observes the eclipse from Jefferson City with a NASA research team?

BONUS TUNES!

We’ve got your podcast playlist above, but if you need a musical interlude, take a listen to our solar eclipse playlist here.

St. Louis on the Air brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. St. Louis on the Air host Don Marsh and producers Mary EdwardsAlex Heuer and Kelly Moffitt give you the information you need to make informed decisions and stay in touch with our diverse and vibrant St. Louis region. 

Copyright 2021 St. Louis Public Radio. To see more, visit St. Louis Public Radio.

Michael Byrd shared this picture of his telescope from Owensville, MO, taking in the eclipse.
Michael Byrd /
Michael Byrd shared this picture of his telescope from Owensville, MO, taking in the eclipse.
Keith Patten shared this eclipse photo through a collander poolside in Marion, Illinois.
Keith Patten /
Keith Patten shared this eclipse photo through a collander poolside in Marion, Illinois.
Dave Wise shared this photo of the partial eclipse as seen through welding glasses from Tower Grove Park.
Dave Wise /
Dave Wise shared this photo of the partial eclipse as seen through welding glasses from Tower Grove Park.
St. Louis on the Air Twitter follower @swkogan shared this photo of the shadows through the trees during the eclipse, writing "Was expecting to watch some cool stuff in the sky. Didn't realize I should also look at the ground. The shadows were surreal."
@swkogan /
St. Louis on the Air Twitter follower @swkogan shared this photo of the shadows through the trees during the eclipse, writing "Was expecting to watch some cool stuff in the sky. Didn't realize I should also look at the ground. The shadows were surreal."
UMSL physics and astronomy professor Dr. David Horne prepares a solar telescope to view the total solar eclipse from Steampunk Brew Works in Town and Country.
Kelly Moffitt | St. Louis Public Radio /
UMSL physics and astronomy professor Dr. David Horne prepares a solar telescope to view the total solar eclipse from Steampunk Brew Works in Town and Country.
The Big Brother Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri team at Jefferson Barracks Park.
BBBSEMO /
The Big Brother Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri team at Jefferson Barracks Park.
Challenger Learning Center program manager Erin Tyree shared this shot from her picnic in Ste. Genevieve for the total solar eclipse.
Erin Tyree /
Challenger Learning Center program manager Erin Tyree shared this shot from her picnic in Ste. Genevieve for the total solar eclipse.
The crowd for total solar eclipse viewing in Ste. Genevieve.
Erin Tyree /
The crowd for total solar eclipse viewing in Ste. Genevieve.
Two eclipse chasers at Steampunk Brew Works view the beginning  of the total solar eclipse.
Kelly Moffitt | St. Louis Public Radio /
Two eclipse chasers at Steampunk Brew Works view the beginning of the total solar eclipse.
Two employees of FP Web in Fenton, Missouri relax during the work day, taking in the solar eclipse.
Bill Newton /
Two employees of FP Web in Fenton, Missouri relax during the work day, taking in the solar eclipse.
Wes Ridgeway shared this photo collage over Facebook of automated lights turning on during the eclipse.
Wes Ridgeway /
Wes Ridgeway shared this photo collage over Facebook of automated lights turning on during the eclipse.
UMSL physicists, astronomers and friends watch as the moon completely overtakes the sun.
Kelly Moffitt | St. Louis Public Radio /
UMSL physicists, astronomers and friends watch as the moon completely overtakes the sun.
Morgan Bradley shared this photo of her view of the eclipse.
Morgan Bradley /
Morgan Bradley shared this photo of her view of the eclipse.
Tricia Grissom shared this photo of eclipse watchers.
Tricia Grissom /
Tricia Grissom shared this photo of eclipse watchers.

Online producer for St. Louis Public Radio's talk shows St. Louis on the Air and Cityscape.