On Sunday, a “ring of fire” eclipse swept over parts Africa and South America. For those of us who missed out due to location NASA provided livestream footage of the event. Whether you classify yourself as a skywatcher or not, stay tuned for what August has in store. Parts of the northern hemisphere will have views of the upcoming total eclipse and those from other locations make sure to travel accordingly. These occurrences don't come on a daily basis so a bit of planning will ensure a smooth viewing process. Here’s what you need for the Great American Eclipse of August 21, 2017.
The August eclipse will only be viewable in its totality across a handful of locations throughout the country. Some states include Oregon, Wyoming, Tennessee, and South Carolina. Check out the full list here and get your location set as most fill up fast. You’ll also want to keep in mind that the eclipse lasts a duration of approximately 2-3 minutes. Keep track of weather updates as pestering clouds can get in the way of these precious moments. This will allow you to plan accordingly for mobility on roads and highways.
If traveling for the sky seems a little ridiculous to you, let’s not forget that this eclipse will occur during the prime of camping season. Make a trip out of it while you invite a group of friends, road trip, and put this one in the books as one of natures greatest moments. If you do your own digging, you might come across different events and festivals that keep the eclipse in mind. One example, among many, include Symbiosis, an arts festival in Oregon.
Stay excited, but keep safety in your plans. Don’t undermine the sun’s power and be sure to invest in an affordable pair of “eclipse glasses.” Yes, they’re as cool as they sound and they will protect your eyes from damage.
Just channel your inner child who rocked the classic pair of 3D movie glasses. NASA offers a variety of options ranging from American Paper Optics to Thousand Oaks Optical. There’s also an alternative option for viewing the eclipse without the glasses, but it would require using your hands to project images on the ground. I’d recommend doing both so you don’t miss out on the real thing.
For the average eye this is a treat not to miss out on, but for scientists this is an opportunity to study the sun’s outer atmosphere. Do your own research or attend one of the many eclipse events and you might learn something new. Finally, no stress if you miss this year’s eclipse. There hasn't been any word whether or not NASA will livestream this eclipse too, but the spectacular event will happen again in 2024.