• 2017Eclipse.org

    Your guide to the North American Total Solar Eclipse

A Once in a Lifetime Event

2017 North American Total Solar Eclipse – August 21, 2017

This Eclipse is a Once in a Lifetime Event

On Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. From Oregon to South Carolina, a 67-mile wide section of “totality” will experience a once in a lifetime event as the the moon blocks out the sun and turns the day to twilight. It will get dark enough for street lights to turn on, the temperature will drop and bright stars will be visible in the sky – it will be like night in the middle of day.

This event will be seen only in North America and eclipse events are being planned all across the country. 

Your 2017 Eclipse Guide

Excitement is growing as the countdown clock ticks down toward August 21, 2017. As communities and organizations announce plans, we’ll provide daily updates on this website and on our Facebook and Instagram pages, along with our Twitter account to provide you with tools, materials and information to ensure you and your family get the most out of this can’t miss event.

Our goal is to provide the information you’ll need to plan your eclipse experience;  the who, what, when, where and especially the how. With most of the entire United States within a day’s drive of the path of eclipse totality, crowds, roads, dining, hospitality and other services will be stressed – we’ll help you be prepared.

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Plan your eclipse experience

Courtesy of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

An Eclipse for the Entire U.S.

The video features several visualizations of this event. Everyone in the United States will see the Moon at least partially block the Sun, but those along the path of totality, shown in red, will see the Moon block the Sun entirely. During totality, the air will cool, the sky will become like twilight and stars will appear.

The appearance of the Sun throughout the eclipse is shown for a number of locations in North America, with each Sun image oriented to the local horizon.

The 2017 Eclipse – The Who, What, When and Where

Who Can See It?

Lots of people! Everyone in the contiguous United States, in fact, everyone in North America plus parts of South America, Africa, and Europe will see at least a partial solar eclipse, while the thin path of totality will pass through portions of 12 states.

What is It?

This celestial event is a solar eclipse in which the moon passes between the sun and Earth and blocks all or part of the sun for up to an hour and a half, from beginning to end, as viewed from a given location. For this eclipse the longest period when the moon completely blocks the sun will be about two minutes and 40 seconds. The last time the contiguous U.S. saw a total eclipse was in 1979.

When Can You See It?

Times for partial and total phases of the eclipse vary depending on your location. This eclipse map will show you times for the partial and total eclipse as it crosses the United States.

Where Can You See It?

You can see a partial eclipse, where the moon covers only a part of the sun, anywhere in North America (see “Who can see it?”). To see a total eclipse, where the moon fully covers the sun for a short few minutes, you must be in the path of totality. The path of totality is a relatively thin ribbon, around 70 miles wide, that will cross the U.S. from West to East. The first point of contact will be at Salem, Oregon at 9:05 a.m. PDT. Totality begins there at 10:16 a.m. PDT.. Over the next hour and a half, it will cross through Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and North and South Carolina. The total eclipse will end in Charleston, South Carolina at 2:48 p.m. EDT. From there the lunar shadow leaves the United States at 4:09 EDT. Its longest duration will be at Carbondale, Illinois.

Click to enlarge map

The North American Total Solar Eclipse Map
Click to Download High Resolution Map

17″x 8.5″ at 300 dpi zipped jpg – 5mb

Eclipse Plans – The How

Eclipse Glasses are Essential

It is never safe to look directly at the sun’s rays – even if the sun is partly obscured. When watching a partial eclipse you must wear eclipse glasses at all times if you want to face the sun, or use an alternate indirect method. This also applies during a total eclipse up until the time when the sun is completely and totally blocked.

During the short time when the moon completely obscures the sun – known as the period of totality – it is safe to look directly at the star, but it’s crucial that you know when to take off and put back on your glasses.

The information above does not constitute medical advice. Readers with questions should contact a qualified eye-care professional.

 

Eclipse Plans – The How

Extreme Eclipse Demand

The entire United States will experience the eclipse and the demand for late orders has exceeded supply. Amazon has recently removed products from a large number of vendors – You can be certain the ones listed on Amazon are certified and safe. Unfortunately, the prices have increased substantially – our advice is to partner with friends and get one of the multi-unit packets.

Eclipse Glasses – You must use safe, certified eye protection to view the eclipse!

Go See The Eclipse: And Take a Kid with You – Astronomy educator Chap Percival is passionate about this eclipse, especially about inspiring children to view it. This occasion will not only provide a teachable moment, it will also be an extraordinary experience that can’t be appreciated through video or photographs. You really do have to be there!