Monday August 21, 2017

A solar eclipse? This means that the moon gets between you and the sun, and completely obscures the sun. It happens rarely (the last total eclipse was in 1979), and the next total eclipse in the U.S. will occur on August 21^st, 2017. If you want to experience it, you will need to plan ahead and get into its path from the northwest U.S. to the southeast.

total eclipse phases 2017 http://www.eclipse2017.org

It takes about 45 minutes from the time you’ll see the moon covering a small bit of sun – to total eclipse – and back to full sun. Imagine the world going dark around you during the day – but only for a couple of minutes.

From Nasa at: eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov

The eclipse will follow the path you can see in the U.S. map (above). To ‘see’ it, you will need to be somewhere in the dark band. The purple mark shows that the eclipse will be both longest and most complete (moon completely obscures sun and earth darkens) on the border of Missouri and Kentucky. Jackson Hole looks like a good viewing spot as well.

A scientist has listed all of the cities and towns in the path of the eclipse, and the duration of the eclipse in each place, and has posted the information online. List of places to experience eclipse.

To find the time of the solar eclipse at your viewing point, go to Eclipse 2017 Times. Zoom in on the map and click on your viewing spot. See the instructions about adjusting the information to your local time zone.

Total Eclipse Mark Twain

Thinking about eclipses? Remember A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain. It contains the tale of a condemned prisoner who announces that he’s a magician more powerful than Merlin and he will blot out the sun unless he is saved and given a position in the court. He predicts a solar eclipse and (spoiler alert) he does not die at the stake. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain. $9.85 in paperback.

Guide to Total Eclipse 2017