Tomorrow is the big day–the next total solar eclipse will be able to be seen across parts of the northern hemisphere from Mexico to Canada. It occurs only 6.5 years since the last event over the U.S., where millions re-organized their vacations to line their cars up or otherwise congregate in groups or along roads to catch a glimpse via protective eyewear. The last total solar eclipse was accompanied by an eerie calm and a chill lasting several minutes. Eclipse chasers around the world will converge in the best locations in the zone of totality–the path of the eclipse best viewed on the Earth. Viewers who choose destinations wisely can expect to see 3.5 to 5.5 minutes of totality, barring cloud cover. Find your own location on this eclipse map from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory here.
Beginning at 9:51 a.m. CDT, the event can be seen at Mazatlan on the Mexico coast, reaching visibility in San Antonio at 12:14 p.m. then on over Carbondale, Illinois, beginning at 12:43 p.m., moving on to be viewable in Cleveland beginning at 1:59 p.m., with residents in Houlton, Maine, able to begin viewing the eclipse at 2:22 p.m.
That orange glow on the horizon? That’s a 360-degree sunset. Of course, total solar eclipses are a regular thing. This century alone will track 68 such events and an additional 77 partial eclipses. But we hear about those that span the U.S. simply because of curiosity–as not all such events can be seen in every region. How often will a total eclipse be seen from a specific point on the Earth’s surface? According to space.com, only once in every 375 years.
Parts of 13 states will get the best views this time: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The U.S. will have to wait another twenty years for the next total solar eclipse to fall within its borders, in 2044, but that eclipse vantage point will only touch North Dakota and Montana. The last total solar eclipse viewed from the contiguous United States before 2017 was way back on February 26, 1979. Thirty million Americans live within the path of totality, compared to 12.2 million in 2017. Nearly 4 million people are expected to travel to see the eclipse.
Because of the trajectory of path of totality of this solar eclipse over so many heavily populated cities, this will likely eclipse the 2017 event as the most viewed eclipse in the planet’s history. Before, during, and after the event, spacecraft will be filming the eclipse from different vantage points.
Deja vu?
If you’re asking “what eclipse?” then you might not have time to acquire the required protective glasses in time for the event, although several locations still had glasses available this weekend. Check your local grocery stores and libraries and they may be able to help, but start today. Every eye professional, scientist, and medical professional has advised of the serious risk of partial or total blindness Monday if you look at the Sun without the specific recommended eyewear, both before and after the totality of the eclipse–those seconds that the Moon is directly between the Earth and the Sun from your location when the Sun is completely blocked. Review this material at planetary.org from Bill Nye for detailed information. Scan this checklist into your phone or print it out for a last-minute reminder–the time will fly by so don’t wait until it’s too late to get the information you need:
NASA Television will host a live broadcast featuring expert commentary and views from telescopes along the path of totality. Tune into the broadcast from noon to 2 p.m. CDT on the day of the eclipse.
You can also learn some fast knowledge from NASA here, and you should check it out now especially if your kid’s school cancelled and you don’t want him/her blinded by the time you get home.
Alternate NASA live streams:
Facebook Live
Twitch TV
YouTube
Eclipse images raw feed (no commentary):
NASA TV Eclipse images channel
Other Resources
Safety Tips From NASA For Eclipse Viewing
Video: How to Safely Watch a Solar Eclipse
Five Tips From NASA For Photographing the Total Solar Eclipse
Learn even more at the NASA eclipse science page.
Here’s a great introduction by Bill Nye, the Science Guy:
The GreatAmericanEclipse website has some interesting statistical data related to tomorrow’s event.
Are you looking for some souvenirs of tomorrow’s eclipse? Artist Bryan Fyffe has released these great art prints:
Check out his website here for more information and to order yours.
And check out astronomer artist Tyler Nordgren’s website here. He has posters, T-shirts, and great items featuring his art, including those shown above.
Enjoy the solar eclipse and stay safe!
C.J. Bunce / Editor / borg
