The 'Great American Eclipse' is less than a year away

The 'Great American Eclipse' Is Less Than A Year Away
The 'Great American Eclipse' Is Less Than A Year Away

About a year from now, a total eclipse of the Sun will be visible across many parts of the U.S.

On August 21, 2017, much of the country will be treated to one of the most visually striking phenomena in all of the sky and world.

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According to USA Today, "It will be the first total eclipse visible only in the USA since the country was founded in 1776."

Describing what the event will be like, NASA notes, "the path of the Moon's umbral shadow begins in northern Pacific and crosses the USA from west to east through parts of the following states: Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina. The Moon's penumbral shadow produces a partial eclipse visible from a much larger region covering most of North America."

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Anyone in the continental U.S. will be able to view at least a partial eclipse lasting around two minutes but those best-placed along the eclipse's trajectory will see a total eclipse lasting around two minutes and 42 seconds.

And, though it's never advisable to stare directly at the sun without protection, the totality is safe to look at, according to NASA.

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