On Aug, 21, 2017, will be the first total solar eclipse visible from coast to coast in the United States after almost a century - 99 years to be exact.
2. YES, THIS SOLAR ECLIPSE IS A BIG DEAL!
• On August 21, 2017, will be the first total solar eclipse visible from coast to coast in the United States after
almost a century – 99 years to be exact!
• America has waited 38 years to witness a solar eclipse. If you miss this chance, you’ll have to wait until April 8,
2024 to witness the next solar eclipse…and it’ll be a different set of states.
• Every part of North America will witness either a total or partial solar eclipse.
• Parts of 8 US states (Oregon, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky and South Carolina) will
view a total solar eclipse.
• 4 planets (Mars, Mercury, Jupiter and Venus) will be seen during totality of the solar eclipse with the unaided
eye near the eclipsed sun.
So get set to view stars during daytime!
4. FACTS ABOUT A SOLAR ECLIPSE
• A solar eclipse is caused by the Moon's shadow on Earth.
• Solar eclipses occur only when the wobble of the Moon's orbit brings the Moon perfectly between the Earth
and the Sun.
• Like any other shadow, even the moon’s shadow has 2 parts: the umbra and the penumbra. The umbra is the
center and darkest part of the shadow. While the penumbra is the outer and lighter part of the shadow.
• If you are in the umbra (the entire Moon is directly between you and the Sun), the Moon will
completely block the Sun resulting in a total solar eclipse.
• If you are in the penumbra (meaning the entire Moon is not completely directly between you
and the Sun) you will see a partial eclipse.
6. • The Path of Totality is the path of the Moon's umbra shadow across Earth's
surface
• The Path of Totality is typically 10,000 miles long but only 100 miles wide
• The total phase of a solar eclipse lasts for only a few minutes. This is due to
the motions of the Moon and the Earth
• Solar eclipses can only occur during a New Moon
SOME MORE FACTS ABOUT A SOLAR ECLIPSE
7. WORDS OF CAUTION
• You can look directly at the Sun only during the brief total phase of a solar
eclipse, which will happen only for a few minutes within the narrow path of
totality.
• The only safe way to look directly at the partially eclipsed Sun is through
special solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” or handheld solar viewers.
• Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for
looking at the Sun as they transmit thousands of times too much sunlight.
• Do not look at the partially eclipsed Sun through an unfiltered camera,
telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device.