Everything You Need to Know About the Solar Eclipse

On Aug. 21, Americans will be able to see a total solar eclipse, which many people are calling the Great American Total Solar Eclipse.

A total solar eclipse is whenever the moon completely blocks the sun, allowing the sun to “disappear”.

The path of totality, where Americans will see the full solar eclipse, spans from Salem, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. A total of 14 states (Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wyoming) will be able to see the full solar eclipse.

Other areas in the world will be able to see the partial eclipse. The areas include Canada, Central America, Mexico, Caribbean Islands, Europe and Russia.

For the states that are not included, they will be able to see a partial solar eclipse. Unfortunately for Texas, we will not be able to see a total solar eclipse. If you are up for a drive or a quick flight there, the closest state to us on the path of totality is Missouri.

It is suggested by NASA and many experts that everyone planning on viewing the solar eclipse use solar viewing glasses. According to space.com, sunglasses cannot be substituted as solar viewing glasses.

Beware, apparently the traffic will be extra bad on the day of the eclipse.

To view when you will see the partial/total solar eclipse (depending on where you will be on Aug. 21), go to NASA’s interactive map and click on your location: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/interactive_map/index.html

Fun facts:

It is expected to be the most photographed event in human history
June 8, 1918: last time a total solar eclipse was visible from the entire United States
February 1979: last time a total solar eclipse was visible from some of the United States
14 states will be able to see the total solar eclipse this Aug. 21
Future solar eclipses visible from the United States: