A solar eclipse is an event that most of us have heard about and have seen photographs of, but unfortunately, whenever we hear of one occurring, it always seems like it is only visible in a country that is thousands of miles away! For those of us who live in the United States and hardly ever travel, however, there is some very exciting news – in August 2017, for the first time in almost 40 years, a total solar eclipse will be visible from several locations across the United States!
What Is A Solar Eclipse?
During a total solar American eclipse, which is what will happen on August 21, 2017, the moon passes in front of the sun until it has completely blocked it out and overshadows it. Day turns into dusk as most of the sun’s light is overshadowed by the moon, which will appear as a black disc during the eclipse. The temperature will drop and birds stop singing until the sun starts to become visible again. As you can probably imagine, as the moon blocks the sun, the sun’s rays become even brighter and more intense. This means that it will be necessary to wear specialized eclipse glasses that will completely protect your eyes, far more effectively than your sunglasses could do. However, during totality, when the eclipse appears to be a black circle sharply contrasting with the line of white rays flaring up all around it, it is safe to view without glasses. This enables you to see the full glory of this gorgeous and rarely seen natural phenomenon.
Best Locations For Viewing The 2017 American Eclipse
The 2017 total solar American eclipse can be viewed best from certain areas within a narrow band stretching across the United States, with the northernmost point being in northern Oregon and the southernmost point in the middle of South Carolina. The ideal location for getting the most magnificent sighting of the eclipse is just south of the city of Carbondale, Illinois. There, the totality of the American eclipse will last the longest, at almost 3 minutes. Even if you will not be in an area where you can see a total eclipse, anyone in the States will be able to witness a partial solar eclipse, where the moon does not completely cover the sun. Again, wearing eclipse glasses is of the utmost importance so you can prevent seriously damaging your eyes.
