Solar Eclipse: Totality Coming Soon!

August 1, 2017 editor

Totality is coming…

You suddenly feel as though you can see the clockwork of the solar system. Where you think you lived doesn’t look like the same place anymore. We kind of know — in the back of our minds — that we live in a giant ball and it revolves around a hot ball of gas, and we’re floating in space. But you don’t really believe it until you see something like a total solar eclipse, where everything is all lined up and you go whoaaa. Other planets pop out. You got instant nighttime. And you can see Mercury and Venus usually. And sometimes Mars and Jupiter. … It looks like the pictures from the textbook. It’s not entirely a science thing anymore. … It’s mostly a thing where you have a better appreciation of where you are in the solar system.

On August 21, for the first time in 99 years, a total solar eclipse will cut through the entire continental United States. It’s going to be awesome. If you’re in the bull’s eye center of the moon’s shadow known as the totality — the sky will go dark for a few minutes in the middle of the day, stars will appear, birds will become confused and start chirping their nighttime songs. And it’s all because of a cosmic coincidence: From the Earth, both the moon and sun appear to be roughly the same size.

The Path of Totality

If travelling to the path – the top things to be prepared are:

1. Have ample water and snacks for everyone in your party to last for the entire day. Please note that groceries/supplies may be limited in the days leading up to and following the eclipse, so stock up early.

2. Have your vehicle filled with fuel.

3. Have appropriate solar eclipse viewing glasses (glasses will be available for purchase at park visitor centers) and appropriate filter for your camera.

4. Be patient, expect long lines and congestion, and give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. Plan to arrive and at your viewing area before the eclipse commences.

5. Do not expect to have cell phone access or internet service in most areas of any national park.

6. Pack it in, pack it out.

7. Know where the closest restroom will be to your viewing area.

8. Many areas are hosting special events and some are no longer taking registrations. Be sure to know your plan as crowds, lodging, and other crowd accommodations may affect your travel time and your ability to watch.

Most of the country will see a partial eclipse, which is also cool. But for the complete show, you need to be in the 60-mile wide path of the totality. Luckily NASA has mapped the path of the totality to an absurd detail.