First Solar Eclipse Since 1918 Is Coming!

If you are even remotely plugged in to the concept of astronomy then you understand how big a solar eclipse can be. On August 21st, 2017 the next great American Solar Eclipse will be coming to the United States. The eclipse can be seen from the East Coast to the West Coast and everywhere in between and it is slated to be a once in a lifetime event. It might be time to start packing your bags and taking your vacation day, you won’t want to miss this one.

A solar eclipse is when the Earth, Moon, and Sun all line up in just the right way so as to black one another out. Lunar eclipses themselves aren’t ultra rare, they happen ultimately every year and a half or so. What is coming on August 21st is dramatically different and all the more rare as a result. The Solar Eclipse on August 21st will occur because the Moon covers up the shape of the sun and those in the proper setting will see it as a complete black out of our Sun. The path by which people will see the eclipse is called the totality — and you are going to want to be there when it happens.

The last time a solar eclipse happened in the United States it was 1918. The internet wasn’t around. Mobile phones weren’t around. Nothing digital was around to capture the event. Unless you plan on traveling to another continent or living to be 100+ this is going to be your best chance to capture the eclipse and document it. Just stop and really think: this is the first time a complete solar eclipse has gone coast to coast in America in almost 100 years. That’s incredible.

There is a path that goes right through the United States of America which shows the best places to be when the eclipse arrives. You’ll want to check out this map in order to scope out the best seats in the country when the eclipse arrives. Fortunately, you can see the eclipse no matter where you are in North America — but these dark spots represent the best of the best viewing areas. No matter where you end up watching the eclipse be prepared for a quick show. It will take roughly 90 minutes for the moon to block the sun. Once the moon is covering the sun the complete black out will last for only a few minutes.