Dr. Michael Meyer eats, breathes, and sleeps all things science.
So, with the solar eclipse taking place on April 8, the recently retired NASA scientist thought a trip to Southeast Missouri was a fitting way to fully embrace the event.
Meyer and members of his family will visit the Bieller farm in Broseley next week.
Meyer currently lives on the east coast and was unable to comment, but his sister and farm owner, Berla Bieller, took time to address Meyer’s visit and the eclipse — which is not expected again for another 20 years.
Bieller and Meyer’s sister, Chris Gibson, have been close friends for nearly two decades.
So, how did a trip to Southeast Missouri to view the eclipse come to fruition?
“I don’t what all he is bringing...Being close friends with Chris, he knew that we have the farm near Poplar Bluff. With his involvement with NASA and the upcoming eclipse, he was very excited about the opportunity of viewing the eclipse from the Poplar Bluff area,” said Bieller.
Meyer was a senior scientist at NASA headquarters in the Science Mission Directorate. He was the lead scientist for NASA’s Mars Exploration and for Mars Sample Return Programs, responsible for the science content of current and future Mars missions.
Meyer was also the program scientist for the Mars Science Laboratory/Curiosity mission. In 2009, he was awarded Exceptional Service Medal and the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Professional Service, according to an email to the Daily American Republic.
“We decided we would get together and view it,” said Bieller. “He definitely is above average and is very accomplished. He came from an accomplished military family.”
Just how integral was the military to the Meyer family?
“Meyer’s father, John C. Meyer, was the commander in chief of the Strategic Air Command And director of the Joint Strategic Planning Staff, which coordinates the nuclear war plan for the United States,” said Bieller.
No one knows Meyer better than his sister, Chris Gibson, who saw the immense, unparalleled talent in her brother from a young age.
Gibson said Meyer’s excitement is unbridled.
“About 1,000 times more than we are,” she said with a chuckle. “He started telling us to save the date about three or four years ago. Of course, we didn’t believe that many people would be interested. Obviously, he was correct.”
Gibson currently resides in Overland Park, Kansas.
“He is bringing some things, some material[s] and glasses for our group,” said Gibson. “Equipment-wise, he usually doesn’t travel like that, even with a camera. He is flying in here for the weekend and then driving to St. Louis and spending the night and then driving to Poplar Bluff on Monday.”
Gibson and her husband and son will join Meyer’s group, she said.
Meyer retired last November.
“He still is involved. He is retired but is being invited for conferences and things like that,” said Gibson. “He still likes being involved on his time schedule. He is enjoying it.”
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