On Monday, August 21, 2017, the U.S. will be treated to a total
eclipse of the sun. The eclipse will be visible -- weather permitting -- across all of
North America. The entire continent will experience a partial eclipse lasting two to three
hours. Anyone within a 70-milewide path that stretches through 14 states from
Oregon to South Carolina will experience a total eclipse. During those brief moments -- when the moon
completely blocks the sun’s bright face for about two minutes -- day will turn into night, making
visible the otherwise hidden solar corona, the sun’s outer atmosphere. Bright stars and planets will
become visible as well. Birds will fly to their nighttime roosts. Nocturnal insects such as
cicadas and crickets will buzz and chirp. This is truly one of nature’s most wondrous experiences.
The
only safe way to look directly at an uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is
through special purpose solar filters, such as eclipse glasses or handheld
solar viewers. An alternative method for safe viewing of the partially eclipsed
sun is pinhole projection (e.g. cross the outstretched, slightly open fingers of one hand over the outstretched,
slightly open fingers of the other. Do not look at your hands, but at the
shadow of your hands on the ground. The little spaces between your fingers will
project a grid of small images, showing the sun as a crescent during the partial phases of the eclipse).
•
The last total eclipse in the United States occurred on February 26, 1979. The
last total eclipse
that crossed the entire continent occurred on June 8, 1918.The last time a
total solar eclipse occurred exclusively in the U.S. was in 1778.
•
Experiencing a total solar eclipse where you live happens on average about once
in 375
years.
•
12.2 million Americans live in the path of the total eclipse. Of course, with
visitors, that number
will be much higher on August 21!
•
About 200 million people (a little less than 2⁄3 the nation's population) live
within one day's
drive of the path of this total eclipse. In addition, millions of Americans
will be able to
view a partial eclipse, weather permitting.
•
Carbondale, Illinois will experience the longest eclipse duration, clocking in
at two minutes,
43 seconds, beginning at 1:20 p.m. CDT.
Eclipse Seeker glasses can be purchased via http://eclipseseeker.com/buy-big.html
Carbondale is also in the path of a total solar eclipse in 2024. The last time what is now the St. Louis area was in the path of totality was 1442! And the next one will be in 2505. So this is indeed a rare treat. Don't miss it!
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