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Mary Anne serves as an education specialist at GPB, where she develops content and resources for educators and students. A native Georgian, Mary Anne graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Georgia earning her Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education, with concentrations in Language Arts and Social Studies.... more

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The Great American Eclipse Teacher Toolkit

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Mary Anne serves as an education specialist at GPB, where she develops content and resources for educators and students. A native Georgian, Mary Anne graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Georgia earning her Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education, with concentrations in Language Arts and Social Studies....

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Eclipse Live Stream Archive | Total Solar Eclipse 2017

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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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Solar Eclipse 2017: Map, Guide and VR - CNN

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Ready for the 'Eclipse of the Century' on August 21, 2017? View the latest information on the solar eclipse, explore the interactive map and check out our live virtual reality coverage on the day of the event.

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I am so looking forward to having our girls fill out this Solar Eclipse Coloring page. I don't even know if that is the right name for it. It is more like an Eclipse Memory Page or the 2017 Solar Eclipse time capsule questionnaire. However, I asked a few teacher friends and they took one look and said it was an Eclipse Graphic Organizer. I have never even heard of a graphic organizer. Who knew? I just think it is the cutest and can't wait to see what they will always remember about this special event.

We are making a huge deal out of the Solar Eclipse at our house. We have to since we are in the direct path. We will only have to travel less than hour to be in total darkness. We have been planning our trip and doing a bit of research. Here is what we know about the Solar Eclipse. We have learned some great information and found some cool maps. Make sure you have your glasses ready to go.

Solar Eclipse Coloring Page

If you want a special way to remember the day just print and fill it out!

2017 Solar Eclipse Kid's Questionnaire (aka the Eclipse Graphic Organizer)

Here is one more eclipse coloring page that will keep your kids busy in the car if you are traveling to see this very special event!
2017 Solar Eclipse Coloring Page
now that I know these little questionnaires are called a graphic organizer I actually have a few!

More Graphic Organizers

and of course we have loads of free coloring pages.

If you are traveling and need more fun activities to keep your kids busy in the car you might love these Would You Rather Questions and these 50 Hilarious Kid's Jokes.

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Solar Eclipse Coloring Page | Skip To My Lou

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I am so looking forward to having our girls fill out this Solar Eclipse Coloring page. I don't even know if that is the right name for it. It is more like an Eclipse Memory Page or the 2017 Solar Eclipse time capsule questionnaire.

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- Solar Pizza Sun-Earth Size Comparison (pg. 9) - Moon Phases & Eclipse Recreation (pg. 26) - Can You Make An Eclipse? (pg. 28)

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Solar and Lunar Eclipses | Worksheet | Education.com

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What is the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse? Find out with this stellar space science worksheet!

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1. Home

2. Resources

3. Downloadables

Downloadables

Please feel free to download maps, posters, fact sheet, safety bulletin and other materials for use in your communities and events. We appreciate it if you credit NASA.
Total Solar Eclipse 2017 Path USA Map
This unique map shows the path of the moon's umbral shadow - in which the sun will be completely obscured by the moon - during the total solar eclipse of Aug. 21, 2017, as well as the fraction of the sun's area covered by the moon outside the path of totality. The lunar shadow enters the United States near Lincoln City, Oregon, at 9:05 a.m. PDT. Totality begins in the United States in Lincoln City, Oregon, at 10:16 a.m. PDT. The total eclipse will end in Charleston, South Carolina, at 2:48 p.m. EDT. The lunar shadow leaves the United States at 4:09 p.m. EDT. A partial eclipse will be visible throughout the United States.

Download

Eclipse Science

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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national aeronautics and space administration

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Downloadables | Total Solar Eclipse 2017

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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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Follow directions in ppt to make your own copy and tweak for your class!

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Solar_Eclipse_21_August_2017_Safety_English.pdf

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On August 21, 2017, the United States will be treated to the first total eclipse of the Sun visible in the country in almost 40 years. Because the 2017 total eclipse will be visible only in the United States, it is known as The All American Total Solar Eclipse. However, everyone in North America will see a partial solar eclipse, where a "bite" will be taken out of the Sun. The spectacular total eclipse will only be visible in a narrow band about 60 miles across, stretching from a beach in Oregon to a beach in South Carolina.
On August 21, 2017, some school districts will already have started the fall semester, while others will still be on summer break. If you are planning to travel to see the total eclipse, it may be too late, as many of the hotels and campgrounds in the eclipse path have already been reserved by astronomy enthusiasts. However, now is the right time to start planning for how you can make the solar eclipse a centerpiece of your science teaching during the coming year.

First of all, you will want to download the free 8-page Eclipse Observing Guide published by the National Science Teachers Association ( NSTA).

This will give you all the basic information you need: The cause of eclipses, where and when you can see the 2017 eclipse, what time it will happen in each part of the United States, and how to help students observe it safely (including how to get inexpensive, but safe glasses). Feel free to share copies of the booklet or its URL with colleagues, plus students and their families. (When you look at the map of the total eclipse path, if you find you have relatives or friends in that zone, now may be the time to start being REALLY nice to them.)

Next, you can start deciding how to incorporate the Sun, Moon, and eclipses into your 2016-17 curriculum, so you can make the most of this wonderful teachable moment. NSTA realized that this would be great timing to publish a book full of hands-on experiences and teaching resources for educators, Solar Science: Exploring Sunspots, Seasons, Eclipses, and More.

Solar Science provides detailed experiences and information that will not only prepare you and your students for the eclipse, but also give you the tools you need to convey key science concepts associated with the eclipse: the motions of the Moon and Sun in the sky, the causes of the Moon's phases, how these relate to the causes of an eclipse, and the reason we had to wait 40 years to see another total solar eclipse in the United States. All of experiences in the book are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and use the 5E instructional model.

But we hope your eclipse teaching activities will not be limited to your students. We know that people learn best what they teach others, so please consider having your students become eclipse experts to their families, to other classes, or to your whole school. If you get ambitious, they (and you) could link up with your local library or community center to become a resource to the entire community. You could:

Host an eclipse observing party at your school that includes information, demonstrations, and safe observing. For example:

Start the party before the eclipse begins and have eclipse glasses or materials available for everyone to make their own pinhole sun-projector.

Connect with your local amateur astronomy group to see if they will set up telescopes to observe the eclipse. Check out the Night Sky Network to find if there is an amateur astronomy group near you.

Follow the instructions in the NSTA Observing Guide to have binocular stations to project images of the Sun.

Sell eclipse viewing glasses as a school fundraiser (See web links for bulk purchase of glasses in the Eclipse Observing Guide).

During the weeks leading up to the eclipse, offer to do public sessions at the local library or community center, where you share ways to observe the eclipse safely or have them build pinhole sun projectors. This is another place to set up binoculars to show how to safely view the eclipse and/or to sell eclipse viewing glasses.

No matter what you decide to do, we wish you a cloudless, safe eclipse, and an educational event that will be remembered by your students for the rest of their lives.

Dennis Schatz was for many years the Senior Vice President of the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, and is the author of 23 science books for children. He was program director for science education at the National Science Foundation from 2011 to 2015, before returning to Pacific Science Center as Senior Advisor. (See www.dennisschatz.org for more information)

Andrew Fraknoi is the Chair of the Astronomy Department at Foothill College in the San Francisco Bay Area and a former Executive Director of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. He is the lead author of a college astronomy textbook and appears frequently on local and national radio programs explaining astronomical developments.
The mission of NSTA is to promote excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all.
Solar Science is published by NSTA Press and is available in the NSTA Science Store.

Future NSTA Conferences

NGSS Workshops

2016 STEM Forum & Expo

2016 Area Conferences
Follow NSTA
2017 National Conference

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Are You and Your Students Ready for the Astronomical Event of the Decade?

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On August 21, 2017, the United States will be treated to the first total eclipse of the Sun visible in the country in almost 40 years. Because the 2017 total eclipse will be visible only in the United States, it is known as The All American Total Solar Eclipse.

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An eclipse is a great opportunity to leverage student excitement into real, interdisciplinary learning. In particular, there are great opportunities to promote interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects are to show linkages between these subjects and literacy, history, culture, and the arts. You can find many outstanding activities on the web, but to get you started, we've included a few here below, divided into three main categories.

Activities to Start Before Eclipse Day

Activities relating to observing the eclipse. You'll want to start these activities before eclipse day, so that students can make use of them on the day of the eclipse.

Pinhole Camera Activity (grades 3+). This activity helps students build their own pinhole camera from a milk carton and use it both to explore the optical principles involved and to view the eclipse on eclipse day.

Dynamic Art Activity (all grade levels). This activity asks students to create an artistic design by projecting images of the Sun through multiple pinholes. It is very simple and fun!

Photography Activity (grades 5+). For those who want to photograph the eclipse, this activity will help you get started.

Post-Eclipse Interdisciplinary Activities

Activities that will help students build upon their eclipse experience. These activities link the eclipse to literacy, poetry, culture, history, and more.

Cultural Significance Project (all grades). This project, which varies for different grade levels, asks students to explore at least one culture's ancient beliefs about eclipses.

Eclipse Science Activities

Activities that focus more on the science behind eclipses, including understanding how eclipses occur and the unique aspects of the Earth-Moon system that make total eclipses possible.

Using Shadow Measurement (grades 8-12). Students explore the use of similar triangles to measure a tall object of unknown height.

Exploring Shadows (grades 8-12). Students explore principles of shadows in a controlled setting.

Additional Activity Resources

We hope you'll enjoy the above activities, which we developed ourselves for Big Kid Science. But there are many more activities that you can find at other sources. Here are a few that we can highly recommend.

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An eclipse is a great opportunity to leverage student excitement into real, interdisciplinary learning. In particular, there are great opportunities to promote interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects are to show linkages between these subjects and literacy, history, culture, and the arts.

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Creating Eclipses in the Classroom | Activities | UNAWE

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Universe Awareness: inspiring every child with our wonderful cosmos.

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We live right in the path of the total solar eclipse taking place in August of 2017. I know that some of you are too! Before the eclipse, you might want to do some eclipse related activities with your children. Earlier I shared with you a simple way to create pinhole camera out of an oatmeal container. Today I have two sun and moon crafts to share with you. Well, really it is two painting crafts combined to create a total solar eclipse craft.

Sun and Moon Crafts for the Total Solar Eclipse

Supplies

Small Sections of a Pool Noodle

Yellow Paint

Red Paint

Gold Paint

Black Paint

Two Paper Plates Per Child

Hole Punch

Brass Fasteners

Creating the Sun and Moon Crafts

Painting

The first thing you will need to do is place the paint on paper plates. The plate for the moon painting will just need black paint. The sun painting will need a plate paint tray that has yellow, red and gold paint. (The sun is made of so many different colors. ) If you just want your children to paint the sun plate yellow that is just fine.

Your children will need to dip small sections of a pool noodle into the paint. The pool noodles sections are super easy to hold onto. They also create a cool texture with the paint on the plates.

Putting the Sun and Moon Plates Together

Once each child's sun and moon plates are dry, they can stack them one on top of the other. They can then use a hole punch to create a hole in both plates.

Then they will place a brass fastener into the hole and flatten it on the back of the plate.

Creating a Totally Eclipse

Children will need to turn their plates so the moon plate is facing down and the sun plate is facing up. Then they will slowly move the moon plate around until it totally covers the sun plate.

As they are moving the plates they are demonstrating what will happen during a total eclipse. Your children will notice that slivers of the sun still show. Those slivers represent the sun's corona.

(Visited 4,326 times, 499 visits today)

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Total Solar Eclipse Painted Paper Plates - Sun and Moon Crafts

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We live right in the path of the total solar eclipse taking place in August of 2017. I know that some of you are too! Before the eclipse, you might want to do some eclipse related activities with your children. Earlier I shared with you a simple way to create pinhole camera out of an oatmeal container.

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How Can the Little Moon Hide the Giant Sun? 

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How Can the Little Moon Hide the Giant Sun? 

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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.

View the Eclipse in NASA's "Eyes on the Solar System"

Eyes on the Solar System also has a special eclipse module that can show you your view of the eclipse of August 21st, 2017 from anywhere on the planet.
Download Eyes on the Solar System
Already have the app? Launch the Eclipse 2017 Feature

Recommended platforms

+ = "or higher"

Credits

Producer:

Kevin Hussey

Ranger Task Manager:

Marc Pomerantz

Software Engineering Team Lead:

Andrew Boettcher

JPL Ranger Software Engineering team:

Andrew Boettcher
Michael Hans
Anton Kulikov
Mi Nguyen
Marc Pomerantz
Michael Sandoval
Davit Stepanyan
Brian Wright

Additional JPL support:

Jason Craig
Matthew Garcia
Kevin Hussey
Daniel Sedlacko

UI Design and Development:

Moore Boeck

Copyright 2017, by the California Institute of Technology. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. United States Government Sponsorship acknowledged. Any commercial use must be negotiated with the Office of Technology Transfer at the California Institute of Technology.

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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.)

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Science In Context now features an eclipse spotlight on the homepage, as well as a video on the homepage showing safe viewing for a solar eclipse. Users will enjoy links to NASA's live-streaming of the eclipse and to another NASA page of 2017 eclipse information, resources, and events listings.

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This page is a basic introduction and explanation of how solar eclipses take place. It includes a preview to upcoming eclipses of the Sun.

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ttp://www.ducksters.com/science/physics/lunar_and_solar_eclipses.php

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https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/iso-certification

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Why are people making such a big deal about the solar eclipse?

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Teach about the upcoming solar eclipse! If you have questions about the eclipse, read our eclipse FAQ.

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Use these resources to explore the science, math, and literature associated with the eclipse and general astronomy

Ages 4-11

Ages 10-14

Ages 13-18

Big Sun, Small Moon

Use a paper plate and coin to investigate how a much smaller moon can eclipse the large sun. (Lawrence Hall of Science, DIY sun Science)

Measuring Angular Size and Distance

Build a shoebox solar eclipse simulator. Explore distance and proportions between the Earth, moon, and sun and investigate angular size and paths of totality. Good math connections. (NASA CONNECT, Path of Totality)

Eclipses and Moon Phases

Investigate how Einstein needed a total eclipse in order to demonstrate how the sun's mass bends the light from a far away star. Good history connection and use of source documents - newspaper article from 1919. (NASA GSFC)

Ages 10-14

Ages 13-18

Ancient Eclipses and Length of Day

Math activity comparing track of a solar eclipse in Babylonian times to calculate the rate at which the day is lengthening over time. (NASA SpaceMath problem #7, see page 24 of PDF document).

Moon orbits the Sun

Construct a model to demonstrate the moon's orbit around the sun. Learners will also compare the strengths of the gravitational forces exerted on the moon by the sun and by the Earth.

(PUMAS)

Earth's Orbit activities

Build a pin-hole camera out of a shoe box to calculate the size of the sun (NASA's Eye on the sun, p 21)

Pinhole Projector

Construct a pinhole projector to project an image of the sun, observe and record the size of the projected image, and calculate the diameter of the sun using the measurements and a known distance to the sun. ( Touch the sun, Chabot Space Science Center, pg 64)

Our Star the Sun
Part of a larger unit on the sun, this site includes lots of activities about the sun with Language Arts and Math connections. Learners can construct a model of the sun, Earth, and moon motions, observe and manipulate the 3-D models, and simulate the movement of these bodies during an eclipse. Activities culminate with a book of all the student work - including wonderful art projects - great for portfolios. (University of California, Berkeley - Project FIRST)

Native American Folklore
Explore folklore about the sky from native America as language arts and history connections. Those specific to the sun include Raven and the sun, Three-legged Rabbit, Coyote and Eagle Steal the sun and moon, Boy and the sun, sun and Her Daughter, Spider and the sun, Little Brother Snares the sun, One Who Walks all Over the Sky, Fifth World.

Cultural Myths about the Sun and Moon
https://www.windows2universe.org/mythology/planets/Earth/moon.html
Many cultures around the world have interesting myths about the sun and the moon, reflecting their importance to daily life. Discover some of the interesting beliefs of early civilizations. Compare and find similarities between different myths and cultures.

Medicine Wheel Solar Calendar and other explorations in Archaeoastronomy
This collection from the Chabot Space Center offers great activities for the whole family- such as making an ancient calendar with sidewalk chalk. This resource introduces the basics of Earth and Sun motion and provides great connections to math, and Native American history (pages 15-30). Continue the activities throughout the year and track the equinox in September and March and the solstice in December. Additional activities include an Indoor Solar Calendar (pages 31-44) and Birthday Beam (pages 45-56). Both are great family activities for building a family birthday calendar.

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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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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 Great American Eclipse | Discovery Education

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Live and on-demand resources for classrooms to experience the Great American Eclipse. Learn more!

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Eclipse 2017 resources developed by the AAPT/Temple team for NASA HEC.

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Solar Eclipse Across America - August 21, 2017

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Here you'll find some of the best eclipse-related educational materials, as judged by members of the AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force. To avoid overwhelming you with too much information, we've intentionally weighted our listings toward resources that are relatively new, up to date, and/or especially relevant to the August 21, 2017, solar eclipse across America. We've also considered quality, of course; if an educational resource is listed here, we think it's of high quality. If it's not listed here, that doesn't mean it's not of high quality - it just means we can't list everything. If you have, or know of, a resource that you think belongs here, please contact us; we can't guarantee that we'll add the item to our website, but we will consider it.

Eclipse Education Websites

Free Online Course at Coursera

Eclipse Education PDFs

For All Educators:

For Elementary-School & Early-Learner Educators:

"Countdown to the Great American Eclipse" (Charles Fulco, Science & Children, February 2017, NSTA Press)

"Eclipses Across the Curriculum" (Charles Fulco, Science & Children, April/May 2017, NSTA Press)

"Eclipses & Eye Safety" (Charles Fulco, Science & Children, March 2017, NSTA Press)

"Get Ready for the Great American Eclipse!" (Charles Fulco, Science & Children, January 2017, NSTA Press)

"Preparing for the Eclipse: How to Safely Observe the Sun with Young Children" (A. Hurst, J. Plummer, S. Gurton & D. Schatz, Science & Children, March 2017, NSTA Press)

For Middle-School Educators:

For High-School Educators:

Eclipse Education Books

Educational Videos About Solar Eclipses

"2017 Eclipse & the Moon's Orbit" (Ernie Wright, NASA Science Visualization Studio)

"2017 Eclipse: Earth, Moon & Sun" (Ernie Wright, NASA Science Visualization Studio)

"2017 Eclipse Shadow Cones" (Ernie Wright, NASA Science Visualization Studio)

"2017 Total Solar Eclipse in the U.S." (Ernie Wright, NASA Science Visualization Studio)

"America's Coast-to-Coast Total Solar Eclipse" (Kelly Beatty, Sky & Telescope)

"August 21, 2017: Solar Eclipse Across America" (American Astronomical Society)

"August 21, 2017, Total Solar Eclipse as Seen from the Moon" (Michael Zeiler, GreatAmericanEclipse.com)

"En Camino al Eclipse Total de Sol del 2017" (Ana Aceves, Sky & Telescope, en Español)

"Experiencing the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse" (Ana Aceves, Sky & Telescope)

"Eclipse FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions" (Doug Duncan, Fiske Planetarium, University of Colorado)

"Getting to the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse" (Ana Aceves, Sky & Telescope)

"Great American Eclipse of 2017" (Fred Espenak at the Northeast Astronomy Forum)

"How to Safely Watch a Solar Eclipse" (American Astronomical Society)

"La Experiencia de Ver un Eclipse Total de Sol" (Ana Aceves, Sky & Telescope, en Español)

"People of Earth" Eclipse Promotional Video (Mark Bender / Eclipse Across America)

"Preparing for the Great American Eclipse" (Doug Duncan, Fiske Planetarium, University of Colorado)

"Total Eclipse, August 21, 2017, Video 1: Where Will You Be Watching?" (Jeffrey Bennett, Big Kid Science & Story Time from Space)

"Total Eclipse, August 21, 2017, Video 2: Understanding Eclipses" (Jeffrey Bennett, Big Kid Science & Story Time from Space)

"Tracing the 2017 Solar Eclipse" (Ernie Wright, NASA Science Visualization Studio)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Here you'll find some of the best eclipse-related educational materials, as judged by members of the AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force. To avoid overwhelming you with too much information, we've intentionally weighted our listings toward resources that are relatively new, up to date, and/or especially relevant to the August 21, 2017, solar eclipse across America.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
On August 21, 2017, the United States will be treated to the first total eclipse of the Sun visible in the country in almost 40 years. Because the 2017 total eclipse will be visible only in the United States, it is known as The All American Total Solar Eclipse. However, everyone in North America will see a partial solar eclipse, where a "bite" will be taken out of the Sun. The spectacular total eclipse will only be visible in a narrow band about 60 miles across, stretching from a beach in Oregon to a beach in South Carolina.
On August 21, 2017, some school districts will already have started the fall semester, while others will still be on summer break. If you are planning to travel to see the total eclipse, it may be too late, as many of the hotels and campgrounds in the eclipse path have already been reserved by astronomy enthusiasts. However, now is the right time to start planning for how you can make the solar eclipse a centerpiece of your science teaching during the coming year.

First of all, you will want to download the free 8-page Eclipse Observing Guide published by the National Science Teachers Association ( NSTA).

This will give you all the basic information you need: The cause of eclipses, where and when you can see the 2017 eclipse, what time it will happen in each part of the United States, and how to help students observe it safely (including how to get inexpensive, but safe glasses). Feel free to share copies of the booklet or its URL with colleagues, plus students and their families. (When you look at the map of the total eclipse path, if you find you have relatives or friends in that zone, now may be the time to start being REALLY nice to them.)

Next, you can start deciding how to incorporate the Sun, Moon, and eclipses into your 2016-17 curriculum, so you can make the most of this wonderful teachable moment. NSTA realized that this would be great timing to publish a book full of hands-on experiences and teaching resources for educators, Solar Science: Exploring Sunspots, Seasons, Eclipses, and More.

Solar Science provides detailed experiences and information that will not only prepare you and your students for the eclipse, but also give you the tools you need to convey key science concepts associated with the eclipse: the motions of the Moon and Sun in the sky, the causes of the Moon's phases, how these relate to the causes of an eclipse, and the reason we had to wait 40 years to see another total solar eclipse in the United States. All of experiences in the book are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and use the 5E instructional model.

But we hope your eclipse teaching activities will not be limited to your students. We know that people learn best what they teach others, so please consider having your students become eclipse experts to their families, to other classes, or to your whole school. If you get ambitious, they (and you) could link up with your local library or community center to become a resource to the entire community. You could:

Host an eclipse observing party at your school that includes information, demonstrations, and safe observing. For example:

Start the party before the eclipse begins and have eclipse glasses or materials available for everyone to make their own pinhole sun-projector.

Connect with your local amateur astronomy group to see if they will set up telescopes to observe the eclipse. Check out the Night Sky Network to find if there is an amateur astronomy group near you.

Follow the instructions in the NSTA Observing Guide to have binocular stations to project images of the Sun.

Sell eclipse viewing glasses as a school fundraiser (See web links for bulk purchase of glasses in the Eclipse Observing Guide).

During the weeks leading up to the eclipse, offer to do public sessions at the local library or community center, where you share ways to observe the eclipse safely or have them build pinhole sun projectors. This is another place to set up binoculars to show how to safely view the eclipse and/or to sell eclipse viewing glasses.

No matter what you decide to do, we wish you a cloudless, safe eclipse, and an educational event that will be remembered by your students for the rest of their lives.

Dennis Schatz was for many years the Senior Vice President of the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, and is the author of 23 science books for children. He was program director for science education at the National Science Foundation from 2011 to 2015, before returning to Pacific Science Center as Senior Advisor. (See www.dennisschatz.org for more information)

Andrew Fraknoi is the Chair of the Astronomy Department at Foothill College in the San Francisco Bay Area and a former Executive Director of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. He is the lead author of a college astronomy textbook and appears frequently on local and national radio programs explaining astronomical developments.
The mission of NSTA is to promote excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all.
Solar Science is published by NSTA Press and is available in the NSTA Science Store.

Future NSTA Conferences

NGSS Workshops

2016 STEM Forum & Expo

2016 Area Conferences
Follow NSTA
2017 National Conference

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Are You and Your Students Ready for the Astronomical Event of the Decade?

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On August 21, 2017, the United States will be treated to the first total eclipse of the Sun visible in the country in almost 40 years. Because the 2017 total eclipse will be visible only in the United States, it is known as The All American Total Solar Eclipse.

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A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, casting its shadow on the Earth. The shadow comprises two concentric cones called the umbra and the penumbra . Observers on the Earth who are within the smaller, central umbra see the Sun completely blocked.

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BrainPOP - Animated Educational Site for Kids - Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Arts & Music, Health, and Technology

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Total solar eclipse animation | Total Solar Eclipse 2017

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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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See How the Solar Eclipse Will Look From Anywhere in the U.S.

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Enter any location in the US on our interactive map and we'll show you exactly what the August 21, 2017 solar eclipse will look like there.

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Eclipse | College of Sciences | Georgia Institute of Technology | Atlanta, GA

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When students arrive at Georgia Tech for the first day of fall classes on Aug. 21, 2017, a special treat awaits them: a mid-afternoon solar eclipse. Given good weather, special eclipse-related events planned for the Tech community will be held by Kessler Campanile, including livestreaming from the Georgia Tech Observatory and hands-on activities.

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Dr. Jim Sowell, astronomer and recruiter of Georgia Tech School of Physics talks about the August 21, 2017 solar eclipse and how to better enjoy it. The celestial phenomenon will happen on our first day of class!

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Total solar eclipse explained by MIT Professor and eclipse enthusiast Richard Binzel

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AUGUST 21, 2017

On August 21, 2017, beginning at 10:15 a.m. PDT, a total solar eclipse swept across the United States. The glorious sight of the fully eclipsed Sun was visible along a 70-mile-wide path arching from Oregon to South Carolina. Millions of people traveled to this "path of totality" to watch as the moon entirely covered the face of the Sun.

People not in the path experienced a partial eclipse.For those who couldn't make it to the path, the Exploratorium, along with our NASA partners, filmed the event from two different locations and shared it with the world by live stream. You can watch it on this website and on our free Android and iOS app​s.

Check out our Live Stream Help page to find out how to share or embed our live streams into your website or blog.

Ver partes de este sitio web en Español.

Telescope and live coverage feeds are also available via U.S. domestic satellite.

For eclipse videos and much more, explore our video collection.

Read the We Are Eclipse Chasers, Ask Us Anything Q&A from our Reddit IAMA on August 4, 2017.

Our eclipse video coverage and mobile app have been nominated for two 22nd Annual Webby Awards! Please vote for us in the People's Voice Awards.
Vote for Best Live Stream - Events

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Total Solar Eclipse 2017 Live Stream| Exploratorium

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On August 21, 2017, beginning at 10:15 a.m. PDT, a total solar eclipse swept across the United States. The glorious sight of the fully eclipsed Sun was visible along a 70-mile-wide path arching from Oregon to South Carolina. Millions of people traveled to this "path of totality" to watch as the moon entirely covered the face of the Sun.

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AUGUST 21, 2017

On August 21, 2017, beginning at 10:15 a.m. PDT, a total solar eclipse swept across the United States. The glorious sight of the fully eclipsed Sun was visible along a 70-mile-wide path arching from Oregon to South Carolina. Millions of people traveled to this "path of totality" to watch as the moon entirely covered the face of the Sun.

People not in the path experienced a partial eclipse.For those who couldn't make it to the path, the Exploratorium, along with our NASA partners, filmed the event from two different locations and shared it with the world by live stream. You can watch it on this website and on our free Android and iOS app​s.

Check out our Live Stream Help page to find out how to share or embed our live streams into your website or blog.

Ver partes de este sitio web en Español.

Telescope and live coverage feeds are also available via U.S. domestic satellite.

For eclipse videos and much more, explore our video collection.

Read the We Are Eclipse Chasers, Ask Us Anything Q&A from our Reddit IAMA on August 4, 2017.

Our eclipse video coverage and mobile app have been nominated for two 22nd Annual Webby Awards! Please vote for us in the People's Voice Awards.
Vote for Best Live Stream - Events

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Total Solar Eclipse 2017 Live Stream| Exploratorium

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
On August 21, 2017, beginning at 10:15 a.m. PDT, a total solar eclipse swept across the United States. The glorious sight of the fully eclipsed Sun was visible along a 70-mile-wide path arching from Oregon to South Carolina. Millions of people traveled to this "path of totality" to watch as the moon entirely covered the face of the Sun.

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AUGUST 21, 2017

On August 21, 2017, beginning at 10:15 a.m. PDT, a total solar eclipse swept across the United States. The glorious sight of the fully eclipsed Sun was visible along a 70-mile-wide path arching from Oregon to South Carolina. Millions of people traveled to this "path of totality" to watch as the moon entirely covered the face of the Sun.

People not in the path experienced a partial eclipse.For those who couldn't make it to the path, the Exploratorium, along with our NASA partners, filmed the event from two different locations and shared it with the world by live stream. You can watch it on this website and on our free Android and iOS app​s.

Check out our Live Stream Help page to find out how to share or embed our live streams into your website or blog.

Ver partes de este sitio web en Español.

Telescope and live coverage feeds are also available via U.S. domestic satellite.

For eclipse videos and much more, explore our video collection.

Read the We Are Eclipse Chasers, Ask Us Anything Q&A from our Reddit IAMA on August 4, 2017.

Our eclipse video coverage and mobile app have been nominated for two 22nd Annual Webby Awards! Please vote for us in the People's Voice Awards.
Vote for Best Live Stream - Events

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Total Solar Eclipse 2017 Live Stream| Exploratorium

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
On August 21, 2017, beginning at 10:15 a.m. PDT, a total solar eclipse swept across the United States. The glorious sight of the fully eclipsed Sun was visible along a 70-mile-wide path arching from Oregon to South Carolina. Millions of people traveled to this "path of totality" to watch as the moon entirely covered the face of the Sun.

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https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/

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The Eclipse Megamovie Project will gather images of the 2017 total solar eclipse from over 1,000 volunteer photographers and amateur astronomers (citizen scientists), as well as many more members of the general public. We'll then stitch these media assets together to create an expanded and continuous view of the total eclipse as it crosses the United States.

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https://mass.pbslearningmedia.org/shared/1539776/4513602/

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What About Everyone Who Isn’t on the Path of Totality?

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What About Everyone Who Isn’t on the Path of Totality?

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(a little fun with a side of metaphors and PR)

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The Banana Sun is a rare phenomenon that occurs when the moon passes between the earth and the sun, creating a yellow crescent reminiscent of a Chiquita banana. It arrives August 21, 2017, across North America.

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How Does an Eclipse Impact the Weather? 

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How Does an Eclipse Impact the Weather? 

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The inky shadows of solar eclipses can alter local weather on small scales, according to new analysis of a 1999 total eclipse.
Solar eclipses occur when the moon slips between Earth and the sun, causing a huge shadow to glide across our planet's surface. (See pictures from a January 2011 solar eclipse.)

Meteorologists knew an eclipse could lower temperatures within this shadow by as much as 5 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius). But they couldn't confirm anecdotal reports of changes in wind speed and direction linked to the astronomical events.

"This story goes back to 1901, when a guy named H. Helm Clayton thought he saw a change in the wind directions on account of the eclipse," said atmospheric physicist Giles Harrison of the University of Reading in the U.K.

Clayton published a paper saying there was such a thing as an eclipse cyclone-"a cyclone of winds around the moon's shadow," Harrison said.

Ever since Clayton's claim, anecdotal reports of eclipse-powered winds have piled up, but without convincing data to support the notion.

Looking to put the issue to rest, Harrison and colleague Suzanne Gray, an atmospheric scientist also at the University of Reading, gathered weather data from the path of an August 1999 eclipse.

That eclipse's shadow sliced across Europe, including Devon and Cornwall in the U.K.

During the event Harrison was under cloudy, rainy skies-"the wrong place at the right time" for noticing slight changes in weather patterns. But onlookers elsewhere in the country reported feeling an odd change in wind direction when the eclipse occurred.

Fortunately, stations across Europe recorded a wealth of weather data under clearer skies.

Gray and Harrison used the pre-eclipse conditions and computer modeling to create a forecast for that day that did not account for the eclipse's shadow. The researchers then compared their results to actual weather data logged during and after the event.

The comparison showed a significant decrease in wind speed of about 1.6 miles (2.5 kilometers) an hour. Winds also blew 20 degrees more southerly in the shadowed regions.

"When the eclipse influences temperature, it seems to also cause the wind to drop and change direction. This is perhaps what people have remarked about," Harrison said.
Wind Changes, but No Cyclone
The researcher cautioned that the new findings are not confirmation of Clayton's full-blown eclipse cyclone.

If nothing else, though, the research is an excellent test of today's weather-predicting technologies. (Related: "Faster Supercomputers Aiding Weather Forecasts.")

"It's amazing how much fine detail you can get out of a modern weather forecast," he said. "There's no model for eclipse weather yet, but you could make something to do that."

The study of solar eclipse-induced wind changes was published March 14 in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society A.x,dkkd
The inky shadows of solar eclipses can alter local weather on small scales, according to new analysis of a 1999 total eclipse.
Solar eclipses occur when the moon slips between Earth and the sun, causing a huge shadow to glide across our planet's surface. (See pictures from a January 2011 solar eclipse.)

Meteorologists knew an eclipse could lower temperatures within this shadow by as much as 5 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius). But they couldn't confirm anecdotal reports of changes in wind speed and direction linked to the astronomical events.

"This story goes back to 1901, when a guy named H. Helm Clayton thought he saw a change in the wind directions on account of the eclipse," said atmospheric physicist Giles Harrison of the University of Reading in the U.K.

Clayton published a paper saying there was such a thing as an eclipse cyclone-"a cyclone of winds around the moon's shadow," Harrison said.

Ever since Clayton's claim, anecdotal reports of eclipse-powered winds have piled up, but without convincing data to support the notion.

Looking to put the issue to rest, Harrison and colleague Suzanne Gray, an atmospheric scientist also at the University of Reading, gathered weather data from the path of an August 1999 eclipse.

That eclipse's shadow sliced across Europe, including Devon and Cornwall in the U.K.

During the event Harrison was under cloudy, rainy skies-"the wrong place at the right time" for noticing slight changes in weather patterns. But onlookers elsewhere in the country reported feeling an odd change in wind direction when the eclipse occurred.

Fortunately, stations across Europe recorded a wealth of weather data under clearer skies.

Gray and Harrison used the pre-eclipse conditions and computer modeling to create a forecast for that day that did not account for the eclipse's shadow. The researchers then compared their results to actual weather data logged during and after the event.

The comparison showed a significant decrease in wind speed of about 1.6 miles (2.5 kilometers) an hour. Winds also blew 20 degrees more southerly in the shadowed regions.

"When the eclipse influences temperature, it seems to also cause the wind to drop and change direction. This is perhaps what people have remarked about," Harrison said.
Wind Changes, but No Cyclone
The researcher cautioned that the new findings are not confirmation of Clayton's full-blown eclipse cyclone.

If nothing else, though, the research is an excellent test of today's weather-predicting technologies. (Related: "Faster Supercomputers Aiding Weather Forecasts.")

"It's amazing how much fine detail you can get out of a modern weather forecast," he said. "There's no model for eclipse weather yet, but you could make something to do that."

The study of solar eclipse-induced wind changes was published March 14 in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society A.

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Solar Eclipses Change Weather on Earth (Slightly)

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The inky shadows of solar eclipses can alter local weather on small scales, according to new analysis of a 1999 total eclipse. Solar eclipses occur when the moon slips between Earth and the sun, causing a huge shadow to glide across our planet's surface. (See pictures from a January 2011 solar eclipse.)

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"There are many more scientific papers about Sasquatch than about animal behavior during an eclipse," said Adam Hartstone-Rose, adjunct scientist at the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina.

The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden has been fielding dozens of calls from the public about what the zoo plans to do for the big day. It and a handful of other animal parks are in the path of full totality. That means, with the full eclipse over their zoos, there's a chance to enlist the public to see what, if anything, animals are doing when their sun disappears and the temperature drops.

If you have ever put one of thosethunder jackets on to calm your pooch during a storm (other than to take cute pictures), you know that animals can be more sensitive to natural phenomena than humans,toiling away in windowless, temperature-controlled offices. Well, if you don't count the human excitement that comes from taking selfies while wearing those funky eclipse glasses.

The Nashville Zoo will be handing out those funky glasses on eclipse day, and it's encouraging visitors to leave their animal observations on the zoo's social media page or to make comments on the app INaturalist. You too can use that app to share photos and jot down notes on animal or even plant behavior, even if you're not at the zoo. However, the scientists would likely prefer you keep your observations to animals of the fluffy and scaled variety; photos of your bizarre co-worker's behavior during the eclipse may be a better fit for Facebook or Instagram.

The Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga has plans to watch its lemurs carefully. There is evidence from past eclipses that lemurs "behave oddly during these events," according to Thom Benson, the aquarium's director of external affairs. The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago is betting something could happen with its collection of chimps, which it will be watching closely.

The director at the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden predicts that its animals may display subtle change. "We don't think we will see the giraffes doing back flips that day," said Ed Diebold, Riverbanks' director of animal collections and conservation. "We are curious, though, to see what will happen."

Whatever change they experience, Diebold and his team will be ready. Hartstone-Rose and his scientists, along with the keepers who know the animals best, and the public who will be given surveys to record their observations will all be ready. If they see anything, they hope to include these data in a research paper. The experts there will likely concentrate on the primates, the elephants, the giraffes, the birds and the reptiles, most of which have demonstrated interesting behavior in prior eclipse events.

"There are interesting philosophical questions too, because we don't know how to tell when a giraffe perceives the sun, but we know they are affected by this," Hartstone-Rose said. He thinks that if some of the more vocal animals get anxious, they'll start making more noise. Some animals may prepare for bed, others may wake up, but not all animals will care.

"Giraffes, for instance, don't have a lot of reason to look up, because there are no predators for them that come from above, so the staff feels there won't be enormous changes there, but there may be with others, and hopefully we can tease the changes out."

Scientists have been watching animal behavior during eclipses for centuries, although the reliability of some accounts may be more believable than others. In the 1500s, an astronomer noted that birds fell out of trees and stopped singing. Keep in mind, scientists in that era also thought leeches were a cure for many ailments too, so no, you don't have to skip lunch outside to avoid the falling pigeons.

In the Victorian era, a scientist noted that ants that were "busily carrying their burdens, stopped and remained motionless till the light reappeared." And in the more recent era, scientists during a 1997 solar eclipse in Mexico noticed that lizards also seemed to react and perform the same activities as they would during sunset, but that may be a little harder to observe, since they buried themselves below the soil making up their little lizard beds.

Another official-sounding scientific group called the New England Eclipse Behavior Committee did a pre-Internet-era version of crowdsourcing and had skilled and unskilled observers send in observations. The notes show that some bird species returned to their roost and quieted down. Others noted that the hippos remained on alert, partially hidden underwater; captive squirrels got agitated; bees stopped humming; butterflies disappeared; painted turtles sought shelter; chickens huddled together; cows, however, seemed "quite unconcerned."

Other studies have shown that the eclipse can be a rude awakening for some nocturnal creatures. Bugs that you would normally see active at dusk or at night have gotten active for a few minutes during previous eclipses. That means mosquitoes may come out of their nap for their midnight snack during the event, so bring your bug spray if you plan to be outside. Thankfully, most of the pests did disappear when the heat of the sun came back. Scientists have noticed frogs start singing during the eclipse.

The temperature drop that comes with an eclipse also seems to impact some animals. In 1991, scientists who happened to be collecting cicadas in the Arizona desert noticed that the bugs went silent when coverage of the sun reached about 50%. Typically, male cicadas sing to attract a mate. Scientists don't think the eclipse acted like a cold shower to kill the romantic mood; rather, these particular cicadas needed radiant energy to elevate their body temperature enough to be physically able to sing. There was good news for cicada romance, in that love did win out, and they went back to their courting song about 20 minutes after the eclipse.

Chimps, who don't need the sun to chat among themselves, also seemed to react. During the 1984 eclipse, scientists at the Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center in Atlanta noticed that the females with babies and some of the solo gals all began to gather on a climbing structure when it started to get dark. The females, who typically socialized on the structure and would normally turn toward each other, instead faced the direction of the eclipse and started to watch the sky. One young chimp even stood and pointed at the eclipse.

It wasn't as dramatic as the opening scene from " 2001: A Space Odyssey," but the animals did go back to their normal chimp business once the eclipse was over.

As far as your pets, you can watch them, but don't count on a viral video. Studies have shown more mixed results. A study from the 1970s found that pet rabbits mostly slept. A few caged birds got agitated. Some dogs ignored the eclipse; a few seemed scared; a few barked when it was over. Cats, well, cats were cats. Some played, some meowed, but for the most part they slept, again showing off their best quality, as anyone who owns a cat knows: Our feline friends think the sun and the moon revolve around them, so what's the big deal about a more little shade?

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what happens to animals during an eclipse? - cnn

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"There are many more scientific papers about Sasquatch than about animal behavior during an eclipse," said Adam Hartstone-Rose, adjunct scientist at the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina. The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden has been fielding dozens of calls from the public about what the zoo plans to do for the big day.

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How Rare is the August 21 Total Eclipse?

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How Rare is the August 21 Total Eclipse?

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On Aug. 21, a total solar eclipse will be visible from the contiguous United States. It'll be the first to traverse coast to coast in nearly a century. There will be 69 total solar eclipses visible from somewhere on the planet in the next 100 years, but only a few will be visible from North America. See how many total solar eclipses are left in your lifetime:

I was born in the year
Please enter a year from 1917 to 2017.

Sooner

Later

2017 eclipse

Drag the globe to explore the eclipse paths.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon aligns between the Earth and the sun. The shadow directly under the moon, called the umbra, is a total eclipse. The moon will also have a penumbra, which is a lighter shadow around the umbra. This is viewed as a partial eclipse. The path of the moon's umbra as it moves across Earth is called the path of totality.

[Graphic: Travel the path of the solar eclipse]

Earth

Partial eclipse

Total eclipse

Sun

Penumbra

(partial shadow)

Note: Not to scale

Sun

Penumbra

(partial shadow)

Total eclipse

Partial

eclipse

Earth

Note: Not to scale

Partial eclipse

Earth

Total eclipse

Sun

Penumbra

(partial shadow)

Note: Not to scale

On average, a total solar eclipse can be visible from somewhere on Earth every 1.5 years.

While all of North America will be able to see the eclipse on Aug. 21, most of the continent will only see a partial eclipse, which may or may not be noticeable depending on where you are. A total eclipse will only be visible along the path of totality, which is about 60 to 70 miles wide at any given point. The farther you are from this path, the less noticeable the eclipse will be.

What the total solar eclipse in August

will look like throughout the U.S.

What the total solar eclipse in August will look like throughout the U.S.

What the total solar eclipse in August will look like throughout the U.S.

The path of totality for the eclipse in August stretches from coast to coast - passing over Oregon in the west and moving all the way across the country to South Carolina in the east. This is a rare event; it's the first time the path of totality will eclipse only over the contiguous United States.

[Everything you need to know about the Aug. 21 eclipse]

The last time a total solar eclipse occurred in the Lower 48 was 1979. The next time a total solar eclipse will traverse from coast to coast will be in 2045.

Total solar eclipse paths over the

contiguous U.S.

Past 100 years

Next 100 years

2017

10 eclipses

8 eclipses

Total solar eclipse paths over the contiguous U.S.

Past 100 years

Next 100 years

2017

10 eclipses

8 eclipses

Portland

Minneapolis

New York

Chicago

Denver

Los Angeles

Atlanta

Charleston

Dallas

Miami

Total solar eclipse paths over the contiguous U.S.

Past 100 years

Next 100 years

2017

10 eclipses

8 eclipses

Portland

Minneapolis

New York

Chicago

Los Angeles

Atlanta

Charleston

Dallas

Miami

August's eclipse will be the third time an area near Boise will be eclipsed in the past century, the most eclipsed of any area in America from 1917 to 2017.

WA

ID

Boise

OR

NV

Carbondale, Ill., is directly under the path of totality for both the August eclipse and the next total solar eclipse in America in 2024.

IN

IL

KY

MO

Carbondale

TN

AR

By 2117, Tallahassee will have seen four total solar eclipses, one of the most eclipsed of any area in America from 1917 to 2117.

SC

AL

GA

Tallahassee

FL

SC

IN

WA

MT

AL

IL

GA

ID

KY

MO

Carbondale

Tallahassee

Boise

OR

TN

AR

FL

NV

August's eclipse will be the third time an area near Boise will be eclipsed in the past century, the most eclipsed of any area in America from 1917 to 2017.

Carbondale, Ill., is directly under the path of totality for both the August eclipse and the next total solar eclipse in America in 2024.

By 2117, Tallahassee will have seen four total solar eclipses, one of the most eclipsed of any area in America from 1917 to 2117.

SC

IN

WA

MT

AL

IL

GA

ID

KY

MO

Carbondale

Tallahassee

Boise

OR

TN

AR

FL

NV

August's eclipse will be the third time an area near Boise will be eclipsed in the past century, the most eclipsed of any area in America from 1917 to 2017.

Carbondale, Ill., is directly under the path of totality for both the August eclipse and the next total solar eclipse in America in 2024.

By 2117, Tallahassee will have seen four total solar eclipses, one of the most eclipsed of any area in America from 1917 to 2117.

In the last 100 years, some areas have been in the paths of multiple eclipses: New England, for example, saw five. (During its World Series dry spell from 1918 to 2004, the greater Boston area alone saw two.)

Others weren't so lucky. Just 200 miles away in New York, construction on the Empire State Building had not started yet the last time the city saw a total solar eclipse (1925). San Diego had a population of less than 100,000 the last time it was eclipsed (1923), and Chicago hasn't seen a total eclipse at all in the last 100 years. An area near Tucson has the longest dry spell in the Lower 48: The last total solar eclipse it saw was in the year 797.

The last total solar eclipse over these areas occurred more than a millennium ago.

Cincinnati

Tucson

The last eclipse over these areas occurred before Columbus's arrival in 1492.

Chicago

San Francisco

Columbus

D.C.

Houston

San Antonio

The last eclipse over these areas occurred before America's independence in 1776.

Chicago

San Francisco

D.C.

Los Angeles

El Paso

Tampa

Houston

The last total solar eclipse over these areas occurred more than a millennium ago.

Cincinnati

Tucson

The last eclipse over these areas occurred before Columbus's arrival in 1492.

Chicago

San Francisco

Columbus

D.C.

San Antonio

Houston

The last eclipse over these areas occurred before America's independence in 1776.

Chicago

San Francisco

D.C.

Los Angeles

El Paso

Tampa

Houston

The last total solar eclipse over these areas occurred more than a millennium ago.

The last eclipse over these areas occurred before Columbus's arrival in 1492.

The last eclipse over these areas occurred before America's independence in 1776.

Chicago

Chicago

San Francisco

San Francisco

Columbus

D.C.

D.C.

Cincinnati

Los Angeles

Tucson

El Paso

Tampa

San Antonio

Houston

Houston

The U.S. mainland has averaged about seven total solar eclipses per century since 2000 B.C. Some areas have seen as many as 25 eclipses, while others, such as spots west of Minneapolis, have seen only four in the last four millennia.

Total solar eclipse paths over the

contiguous U.S. since 2000 B.C.

Most eclipsed areas: 25 or more eclipses

Least eclipsed areas: Five or fewer eclipses

Total solar eclipse paths over the contiguous U.S. since 2000 B.C.

Most eclipsed areas: 25 or more eclipses

Least eclipsed areas: Five or fewer eclipses

Seattle

Minneapolis

Boston

Chicago

New York

San Francisco

Denver

D.C.

St. Louis

Los Angeles

Atlanta

Dallas

Tampa

Houston

Miami

Total solar eclipse paths over the contiguous U.S. since 2000 B.C.

Most eclipsed areas: 25 or more eclipses

Least eclipsed areas: Five or fewer eclipses

Seattle

Minneapolis

Boston

Detroit

New York

Chicago

San Francisco

Denver

D.C.

St. Louis

Los Angeles

Phoenix

Atlanta

Dallas

Houston

Tampa

Miami

Patterns in how eclipses traverse the country mean that some areas, such as the Midwest, get to see many more than others.

10 paths of totality

Minneapolis

Chicago

St. Louis

Los Angeles

Phoenix

Dallas

13 paths

Seattle

Chicago

D.C.

St. Louis

Atlanta

8 paths

San Francisco

Denver

Los Angeles

10 paths of totality

Minneapolis

Chicago

St. Louis

Los Angeles

Phoenix

Dallas

13 paths

Seattle

Chicago

D.C.

St. Louis

Atlanta

8 paths

San Francisco

Denver

Los Angeles

8 paths

10 paths of totality

13 paths

Seattle

Minneapolis

Chicago

Chicago

San Francisco

D.C.

Denver

St. Louis

St. Louis

Los Angeles

Los Angeles

Phoenix

Atlanta

Dallas

Even though you don't have to wait long for the next total solar eclipse in the contiguous United States in 2024, it won't be as expansive as the one coming up in August. But if you're waiting for an eclipse to happen over your head, don't hold your breath - you might be waiting for a couple of centuries.

Read more about the Aug. 21 eclipse:
Graphic: Travel the path of the solar eclipse Everything you need to know about the Aug. 21 eclipse Want to see this summer's solar eclipse? Here are some viewing options across the U.S. How to avoid clouds that could spoil the Great American Eclipse Here's what happened to people who tried to watch a solar eclipse without special glasses The first solar eclipse to cross America in 99 years is coming. To some, it's an act of God.
You'll need special glasses to see the solar eclipse. Here's where to get them free.

Armand Emamdjomeh contributed to this graphic.

Corrections: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the Aug. 21 eclipse is the first time the path of totality will eclipse only over the contiguous U.S. since 1918. It is in fact the first time this has occurred since the U.S. declared independence in 1776. A previous version of this story also incorrectly stated that New England saw four eclipses in the last 100 years. It has seen five because the 1970 eclipse went over some islands.

About this story

Eclipse path data from the Five Millennium Canon of Solar Eclipses Database by Xavier M. Jubier via NASA eclipse predictions data by Fred Espenak. Polygons of paths are calculated estimates and may not be exact. This dataset does not include one total solar eclipse that occurred in 839 B.C. because it did not have a central path or limits of totality. San Diego population from U.S. Census.

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Analysis | Here's every total solar eclipse happening in your lifetime. Is this year your best chance?

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On Aug. 21, a total solar eclipse will be visible from the contiguous United States. It'll be the first to traverse coast to coast in nearly a century. There will be 69 total solar eclipses visible from somewhere on the planet in the next 100 years, but only a few will be visible from North America.

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Eclipse: Who? What? Where? When? and How?

Total Solar Eclipse

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. This path, where the moon will completely cover the sun and the sun's tenuous atmosphere - the corona - can be seen, will stretch from Lincoln Beach, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. Observers outside this path will still see a partial solar eclipse where the moon covers part of the sun's disk.

Image Credit: Rick Fienberg, TravelQuest International and Wilderness Travel
Figure 1- In this series of still from 2013, the eclipse sequence runs from right to left. The center image shows totality; on either side are the 2nd contact (right) and 3rd contact (left diamond rings that mark the beginning and end of totality respectively).

Who Can See It?

Lots of people! Everyone in the contiguous United States, in fact, everyone in North America plus parts of South America, Africa, and Europe will see at least a partial solar eclipse, while the thin path of totality will pass through portions of 14 states.

Image Credit: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio
Figure 2- This map shows the globe view of the path of totality for the August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse. You can find more information at: https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/4518

What is It?

This celestial event is a solar eclipse in which the moon passes between the sun and Earth and blocks all or part of the sun for up to about three hours, from beginning to end, as viewed from a given location. For this eclipse, the longest period when the moon completely blocks the sun from any given location along the path will be about two minutes and 40 seconds. The last time the contiguous U.S. saw a total eclipse was in 1979.

Figure 3 - Diagram showing the Earth-sun-moon geometry of a total solar eclipse. Not to scale: If drawn to scale, the Moon would be 30 Earth diameters away. The sun would be 400 times that distance.

Where Can You See It?

You can see a partial eclipse, where the moon covers only a part of the sun, anywhere in North America (see "Who can see it?"). To see a total eclipse, where the moon fully covers the sun for a short few minutes, you must be in the path of totality. The path of totality is a relatively thin ribbon, around 70 miles wide, that will cross the U.S. from West to East. The first point of contact will be at Lincoln Beach, Oregon at 9:05 a.m. PDT. Totality begins there at 10:16 a.m. PDT. Over the next hour and a half, it will cross through Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and North and South Carolina. The total eclipse will end near Charleston, South Carolina at 2:48 p.m. EDT. From there the lunar shadow leaves the United States at 4:09 EDT. Its longest duration will be near Carbondale, Illinois, where the sun will be completely covered for two minutes and 40 seconds.

Figure 4 - A map of the United States showing the path of totality for the August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse.

When Can You See It?

Times for partial and total phases of the eclipse vary depending on your location. This interactive eclipse map will show you times for the partial and total eclipse anywhere in the world.

Table 1 - Example of eclipse times for cities in the path of totality.

How Can You See It?

You never want to look directly at the sun without appropriate protection except during totality. That could severely hurt your eyes. However, there are many ways to safely view an eclipse of the sun including direct viewing - which requires some type of filtering device and indirect viewing where you project an image of the sun onto a screen. Both methods should produce clear images of the partial phase of an eclipse. Click here for eclipse viewing techniques and safety.

Figure 5 - Check with local science museums, schools and astronomy clubs for eclipse glasses-or purchase an ISO 12312-2 compliant pair of these special shades!

Figure 6 - This list describes when to wear your glasses and when you can safely look at the eclipse, only during totality!

Sun watchers gather around telescopes fitted with white light solar filters.
Image Credit: NASA Kepler Mission

Using a projection method to view the sun.
Image Credit: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

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national aeronautics and space administration

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Eclipse: Who? What? Where? When? and How? | Total Solar Eclipse 2017

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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.