The Great America First Eclipse

On Monday, August 21, 2017 (two days from now) the Sun will go dark. Only in the USA, and only across a certain west-to-east linear portion of the USA. Oh, and it will only last for a couple of minutes or so.

Of course, I am talking about the upcoming total solar eclipse of the sun. On Monday, August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will be visible in totality within a band across the continental United States, touching fourteen states, staring with Oregon, and ending with South Carolina. A partial eclipse will be visible in many more states, and will still be worth checking out. People in other countries will only see a partial eclipse. Sorry other countries – this one is ours and you can’t watch it.

I’m kidding – of course you can . News outlets will do their part to broadcast pictures and video of the eclipse to everyone who has an interest.

On Monday, you can go to www.nasa.gov/eclipselive, where you will be directed by default to the NASA TV broadcast. You will see views of the eclipse from several locations, including from the International Space Station.

This really is a big deal. The last time a total solar eclipse was visible across the entire contiguous United States was June 8, 1918.

The next time a total eclipse sweeps across the country will be August 12, 2045, and it promises to be, not only the best of this century, but the best ever, with a different, much wider path of totality, sweeping across a different lineup of states, and totality lasting more than twice as long. The very best place in the continental US to view this eclipse is said to be a residential street in Port Saint Lucie, Florida.

And the future promises still more total eclipses, visible from at least some states, and partial eclipses visible from even more. There are so many great eclipses coming this century that some have coined the term “Generation Eclipse” to refer to babies born recently and in the near future. See more information about this and the lineup of future eclipse at: http://americaneclipseusa.com/future-usa-eclipses/ .

Remember to follow safety guidelines. Don’t look at an eclipse for any longer than you would glance at the noonday sun without proper eye protection. Make sure your solar glasses are the approved type.

I find it amazing that our local part of the universe is so predictable. I also think we also need applaud the generations of astronomers and mathematicians who have worked out the solar and lunar cycles so exactly that we can predict to the second when the eclipse will be in certain parts of the planet. This is amazing.

And there are still those who don't trust the vast majority of scientists who are warning us about the increased amounts of greenhouse gasses we are putting into our atmosphere. We need to listen to them and head their pleadings for us to do something about humanity-induced climate change.

If we don’t, then you, or your children, may need to anchor a boat to view that eclipse in Port Saint Lucie, in 2045.