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by: Debbie Lord, Cox Media Group National Content Desk Updated:

On Aug. 21, a solar eclipse will cut across the entire United States.

While most of the country will see a partial eclipse, in which the sun is only partially blocked by the moon, other areas will go into total darkness as the moon moves in between the sun and the Earth.

What will it look like where you are? How do you look at it? Can you take photos? Where do you get solar glasses?

Here's what you need to know about the 2017 eclipse.

What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse happens when the moon lines up between the Earth and the sun as the Earth revolves around the sun. The moon blocks the sun's light from reaching the Earth.

Wait, doesn't the moon move between the Earth and the sun every month?
Yes, but we don't have solar eclipses every month because the moon's orbit is tilted by about five degrees, with respect to the Earth's orbit around the sun. It's only when the Earth, the sun and the moon line up just right that you have an eclipse.

When is the solar eclipse?
The eclipse will happen on Aug, 21.

What time will the eclipse start?
The totality -- more on that in a minute -- will reach the West Coast of the United States - between the Oregon cities of Newport and Lincoln City - at 10:16 a.m. PT. That is 1:16 ET.

How long will it last?
The eclipse will end at 2:49 p.m. ET as the moon's shadow moves off the Atlantic coast. That means it will take one hour and 33 minutes for the shadow of the moon to cross the country.

A solar eclipse will occur on August 21, 2017 and be visable across the United States.Solar Eclipse. (solarseven/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

How fast will the shadow move?
According to eclipse2017.org, when the totality hits the Oregon coasts it will be moving at 2,955 mph. The shadow moves at different speeds across the country because of the curvature of the Earth. When totality makes it to Charleston, South Carolina, it will be going at 1,502 mph.

How wide is the swath of the eclipse?
The path of the totality, in which the moon totally blocks out the sun's rays, is only about 70 miles wide. Those not in that 70-mile-wide strip across America will still see between a 20 percent to a 99 percent coverage of the sun by the moon.

What will happen during the eclipse?
Whether you are in the area of a partial eclipse or in the strip of totality, as the moon moves between the Earth and the sun, the sky will gradually begin to darken. If you are in the area of totality, the sky will grow dark as if it were nighttime, stars will appear and the temperature will drop.

No matter where you are when the moon starts to cover the sun, you will see something called Baily's Beads, the jagged edge of the lunar surface illuminated by the backlighting sun. In a little while, the light from the sun will brighten and concentrate on one edge of the moon and create an effect that looks like a diamond ring.

Once the diamond ring disappears, the sun will be covered by the moon and you can safely look at it. But you'll have to be careful not to look too long. The effect lasts only minutes before the process begins again, but in reverse - Bailey's Beads, the diamond ring effect, then the sun again.

Do we know where the next total solar eclipse is going to be?
The next solar eclipse will be on July 2, 2019. The moon's shadow will pass over an area from the southern Pacific Ocean to South America.

NASA.gov

The next solar eclipse happening over the United States will be April 8, 2024.

Can you tell me what I will see no matter where I am on Aug. 21?
Yes. Check out the NASA interactive map that allows you to see the exact time the eclipse will begin and end and the level of coverage of the sun for any spot in the world.

Can I still plan a trip to the areas that will see the sun totally blocked out?
Yes, but you better hurry. Everyone in the country will be able to experience the eclipse, even though only a small section of the country will be pitched into total darkness. If you want the full experience, it's not too late to make plans to travel to a point along the path of 100 percent totality. While some have had hotel rooms booked for years, the American Astronomical Society offers this link to tours and travel opportunities.

What about the weather?
There is nothing you can do about the weather. If there are clouds in your area it will be tougher to see the eclipse, obviously. Check out the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration chart on where it is typically cloudy on August 21 to see if it is likely to be overcast where you are.

It is EARLY, and it's only a TREND, but right now... outlook is for above average rainfall around #Eclipse day. pic.twitter.com/6ZYAzKnpnh
- Brian Monahan, WSB (@BMonahanWSB) August 7, 2017

I understand it is dangerous to look at the sun. Will I go blind if I look at the sun during the eclipse?
It is dangerous to look at the sun at any time. The light from the sun can damage the retina in your eye. If you want to watch the eclipse, you need the proper glasses to do so. Also, there are only certain times at which you can look directly at the sun during an eclipse.

👉 Know BEFORE You Go: 🕶
Sunglasses are NOT enough eye protection for a solar eclipse.#Eclipse2017 #ProtectYourEyes https://t.co/VLVvs3kJd6 pic.twitter.com/SJu5mhqsQz
- NWS Mobile (@NWSMobile) August 7, 2017

Here's what NASA says about looking at the eclipse:

"When watching a partial eclipse you must wear eclipse glasses at all times if you want to face the sun, or use an alternate indirect method. This also applies during a total eclipse up until the time when the sun is completely and totally blocked.

During the short time when the moon completely obscures the sun - known as the period of totality - it is safe to look directly at the star, but it's crucial that you know when to take off and put back on your glasses."

Where can I get eclipse glasses?
The American Astronomical Society offers this list of Reputable Vendors of Solar Filters & Viewers.

Note: Make sure you get glasses that are safe for directly viewing the sun. They should indicate they are compliant with ISO 12312-2. The IOS logo will be on the glasses or on the box they come in. According to the AAS, "alarming reports of potentially unsafe eclipse viewers (are) flooding the market."
Again, refer to the AAS list (above).

What about a livestream?
NASA will be hosting an "Eclipse Megacast" on Aug. 21 that will last about four hours. Check it out here, or on Ustream or YouTube.

You can also watch the eclipse on the Time and Date website starting at 11:30 a.m. ET for footage from various locations.

Newsweek has a list of the other places you can watch it via livestream.

NASA is also offering "Eyes on the 2017 Eclipse!," an "interactive, 3-D simulation" of the eclipse.

Can I photograph the eclipse with my smartphone or camera?
Yes, you can, but check out this video for some tips.

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Solar eclipse: What time does it start; how long does it last; glasses

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by: Debbie Lord, Cox Media Group National Content Desk Updated: On Aug. 21, a solar eclipse will cut across the entire United States. While most of the country will see a partial eclipse, in which the sun is only partially blocked by the moon, other areas will go into total darkness as the moon moves in between the sun and the Earth.

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Infographic on Total Solar Eclipses, what they are and why they happen. Including path of March 20 Total Solar Eclipse and upcoming Solar Eclipses worldwide.

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Earth's Ionosphere During Total Solar Eclipse

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Three NASA-funded studies will use the Aug. 21 total solar eclipse as a ready-made experiment, courtesy of nature, to improve our understanding of the ionosphere and its relationship to the Sun.

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As of August 2, 2017 most places have stopped taking orders for new glasses to ensure they can get them shipped to everyone in time for the event.  If you still need glasses you should check with the following retailers in your area who may have them available for purchase:

Kroger Stores (Dillons, Gerbes, Bakers, Food4Less, etc)

Lowes Home Improvement Stores

ACE Hardware Stores *

(Ace Hardware is located in Folkston GA. It's across from The Shell Truck Stop going towards Waycross GA.)

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Eyes on the Eclipse offers two options, one for desktops and laptops, and one that is web-based that you can use on your phone or on any device with a web browser. For more information and to download the app, visit eyes.nasa.gov/eclipse

Welcome to Eyes on the 2017 Eclipse! In this interactive, 3D simulation of the total eclipse of August 21st, 2017, you can see a view of the eclipse from anywhere on the planet.

Once you have downloaded and installed the program, click on the "Launch" button. Once it has loaded, click on the "Explore" button at the bottom of the screen, and a split-screen view will appear showing a view of the Earth on the left side, and a view of the sun from your selected location on the right side. Try rotating and zooming in to the globe. Then, select a location either by clicking directly on the Earth, by selecting one of the five preset locations, or by clicking the "Custom" button and entering the latitude and longitude in decimal degrees (For example, Los Angeles is located at 34.05 North, 118.25 West).

Once you have chosen a location, you can then watch a simulation of what the eclipse would look like from that area from start to finish!

Was your selection only a partial eclipse? Pick a location in the narrow center line of the shadow path, or "umbra," to see a total eclipse. Then plan to travel to that spot on the day to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

***NEVER look at the sun directly without proper solar glasses or filters -- you can severely damage your eyes.***

Desktop Application

For more information and to download the app, visit http://eyes.nasa.gov/eclipse

In this interactive, web-based 3D simulation, you can click anywhere on the Earth to preview your view of the August 21st, 2017 total eclipse. This will work in the web browser on your desktop, laptop, as well as newer tablets and phones, either in iOS or Android! (See the list below for details.) Just launch the website, click "Enter," and away you go!

Once you enter the site, first see the Earth, with the shadow of the moon on it. The largest circle is the part of the moon's shadow called the penumbra, which will partially block the sun. The tiniest circle along the thin line in the center is called the umbra, and it is the only location where you can see a total eclipse of the sun. Click and drag on the Earth to move it around, or zoom in with your mouse to get close to the surface. You can simply click on any location to see an inset of the sun, and it will show how much the moon will block it during the eclipse. You can click and drag inside the inset window to change the time, or use the vertical time bar on the right side of the screen to go forward and backward over the three hour and twelve minute time frame that the eclipse happens in North America.

You can click on the "plus" button at the bottom of the screen and type in any city you want, and add it to the list of cities, like adding a bookmark. Then you can easily switch between various locations. The simulation is pre-loaded with the views for Kansas City, Los Angeles, and Miami. Next to the cities list is an icon of the Earth. Click on it to select alternate views, like the perspective from behind the far side of the moon, or have a look at the entire Earth/Moon/Sun system over two years to see why eclipses don't happen frequently.

A total eclipse of the sun is one of the most awe-inspiring natural phenomena in the world, so be sure to make your plans to see it well in advance!

REMEMBER: DO NOT look directly at the sun during the eclipse without proper solar filters! You could severely damage your eyes.

Web Application

For more information, visit http://eyes.jpl.nasa.gov/eyes-on-eclipse-web-detail.html

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national aeronautics and space administration

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Total Solar Eclipse 2017 - On Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature's most awe inspiring sights - a total solar eclipse.

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The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses”. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun; they transmit thousands of times too much sunlight.

Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device-the concentrated solar rays will damage the filter and enter your eye(s), causing serious injury.

If you are within the path of totality, remove your solar filter only when the moon completely covers the sun’s bright face and it suddenly gets quite dark. Experience totality, then, as soon as the bright sun begins to reappear, replace your solar viewer to look at the remaining partial phases.

Outside the path of totality, you must always use a safe solar filter to view the sun directly.

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national aeronautics and space administration

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Total Solar Eclipse 2017 - On Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature's most awe inspiring sights - a total solar eclipse.