Many people only know tidbits of information about the solar eclipse taking place today.  We wanted to get everyone prepared for this amazing event.  Here are some need to know facts.

    • This will be the first solar eclipse in the United States in 38 years. The last one occurred on February 26, 1979 (1 year and 1 day before I was born).  This particular eclipse was only able to be seen in 5 states so not many people were able to view it.
    • The eclipse will be visible along the Moon's Central Shadow and totality will be about 71.5 miles wide spanning from west coast to east coast.  According to Time and Date.com, its path will span from the country's West Coast to the East Coast. The rest of North America, as well as Central America and northern parts of South America, will experience a partial solar eclipse. NASA has estimated that a majority of the American population lives less than a 2-day drive away from the path of totality.
    • While a solar eclipse is not rare the last time a solar eclipse was visible from coast to coast was June, 8, 1918.
    • There will be parts of 14 states that will go dark during the eclipse.
    • Yaquina Head Lighthouse  in Newport, Oregon will be the first place to see totality at 9:04 a.m.
    • As the sky darkens, planets and stars hidden in the sky by the Sun's bright light will reappear. Look for Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, and Venus during totality.
    • The next opportunity will take place on April, 8, 2024.
    • Most importantly protect your eyes!  If you don't have glasses you can make your own at home.

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