The coordinates of the moon’s orbit cause up to five eclipses annually, creating rare, cosmic events that astronomy enthusiasts and everyday sky gazers are eager to observe. One thing is certain: there are plenty of interesting facts that make the August 21, 2017, solar eclipse worth viewing. Here are 25 of them to stoke your excitement leading up to the celestial event.

  1. The solar eclipse will occur when the sun, moon, and earth are perfectly aligned. The moon will be directly between sun and earth, casting a shadow on the planet by blocking the sun.
  2. The eclipse will be “total”, meaning the moon will fully block the sun. The portion of the moon facing the sun will be brilliantly illuminated, absorbing rays that would otherwise reach earth.
  3. No effects from “partial, annular, or hybrid” eclipses will be seen. In these eclipses, the moon partly blocks the sun, although a hybrid eclipse ends with the moon fully blocking the sun.
  4. A total solar eclipse can occur once every 18 months and is visible somewhere on Earth’s surface, as either a partial or a full eclipse, depending on the viewer’s geographic location.
  5. Eclipses almost identical to this one occur roughly 18 years part. This time gap between eclipses is known as a “saros”. A saros equates to approximately 6585.3211 days.
  6. The moon phase must be “new” for an eclipse to occur. In a “new moon phase”, the moon and sun have the same ecliptic longitude, creating the planetary alignment for the eclipse.
  7. The distance between earth and sun, and the distance between earth and moon, will determine the length of the eclipse. The longest a total solar eclipse can last is 7.5 minutes.
  8. The moon may appear temporarily stationary when it blocks the sun, but it’s traveling faster than almost any land vehicle: 1,398 miles per hour. This is why the eclipse is so short.
  9. Many years ago, the moon was so close to earth that, during eclipses, it blocked the sun completely, causing eclipses to last much longer.
  10. The eclipse you’re about to see won’t always occur, as the moon’s orbit continues to move away from earth. In exactly 600 million years, a total solar eclipse will be a thing of the past.
  11. You can see planets during the eclipse: Venus, Jupiter, Mars, and Mercury. If you want a great view of Mars and Mercury, use a telescope. They’ll be hard to see with the naked eye.
  12. The width of the “path of totality” will be about 70 miles. Also known as the “channel of darkness”, the path occurs when the moon totally eclipses the sun during the event.
  13. More than 10 million people will be in the path of totality, with 28 million living in a 60-mile radius of the path. Counting Canada and Mexico, over 500 million will see at least a partial eclipse.
  14. The 2017 eclipse is the first time a total solar eclipse will cover the entire U.S. continent since 1918. If you’re a fan of rare solar events, be sure to see this one before it’s gone.
  15. This is the first time in U.S. history that a total solar eclipse will exclusively affect U.S. soil. The last time it happened was in 1257, when Europe was still engaged in the Crusades.
  16. States that will get a good view of the total eclipse include: Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
  17. Cities that will see the total eclipse include: Madras, OR; Idaho Falls, ID; Casper, WY; Lincoln, NE; Jefferson City, MO; Carbondale, IL; Paducah, KY; Nashville, TN; Bryson City, North Carolina; Clayton, GA; and Columbia, SC.
  18. Residents of Missouri can experience up to 3 hours of the partial eclipse and 2 minutes 30 seconds of the total eclipse. If you’re a Missourian who loves cosmic events, you’re in for a treat.
  19. This 2017 solar eclipse has been nicknamed, “The Great American Eclipse” ― a cultural reference to the fact that the total eclipse will been seen exclusively in the U.S.
  20. An area near Carbondale, IL, will experience the longest “duration of totality”: roughly 2 minutes and 40 seconds. In astronomy, duration of totality is the length of time when the total eclipse maintains its maximum phase along the eclipse path.
  21. The glow of the solar corona is called “Bailey’s Beads”. The phenomenon appears when light shines around the moon’s surface, making the planet seem encircled by a thin ring of light.
  22. Observers should ideally view a live eclipse while wearing light blocking glasses or looking through a filter when using binoculars, telescopes, and cameras (including smartphones).
  23. When the eclipse reaches totality, you can view it without eye protection, as long as no Bailey’s Beads are present. But this phase is rather short, so have eye protection ready.
  24. When an eclipse occludes the sun, a change in animal sounds occurs. One creature you hear a change in is the cicada. A 1991 study showed approximately 50% of cicadas cease calling during a solar eclipse.
  25. The temperature will drop after the moon blocks the sun, as it does at nightfall due to the moon’s low temperature. The 2001 eclipse in Zambia showed a temperature drop of 5 degrees.

Ready for the Eclipse?

The next highly visible solar eclipse in the U.S. is just a few weeks away. In fact, the coming solar eclipse will only be seen from American soil, while some of our nearby international neighbors will see it as a partial eclipse. Wherever you view the eclipse from, remember to wear proper eye protection. After you’ve made preparations, sit back and enjoy the celestial show!

 

Author Bio:  

Casey Pontrelli is a writer and content strategist. Having spent eight years in the industry, she writes on the promotional marketing trends.