Solar Eclipse

What You Can Expect to See During the Solar Eclipse

August 14, 2017

Monday the 21st is going to be an historic day across the United States.  For the first time in 99 years the moon will block out the sun from the west coast to the east.  A 70-mile-wide shadow will slide from Salem, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina.  While the upper Midwest will not get to see the sun totally eclipsed, you can still expect to see over 80% of the sun covered up.  It’s one of the most unlikely events to happen anywhere in the solar system.  If the Earth were just a bit further from the sun, or the moon was a slightly different size, we wouldn’t get the show we will.  It’s statistically staggering to think of all the things that must happen.  A larger moon would just make everything dark. A smaller moon would never totally block the sun.  But, everything is in the right place at the right time.  Remember, never look directly at the sun.  Even looking at the sun through sunglasses is dangerous.  Make sure you’re using a filter or glasses certified safe.  And if you can’t do that, keep an eye on social media.  This eclipse is expected to be the most photographed one in history.