Eclipse 101

Acknowledgments

Dear Viewer: On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will cross the contiguous United States for the first time since 1918. The total eclipse will traverse a path from Oregon to South Carolina over a period of about 90 minutes. Potentially 325 million inhabitants within the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii, could experience this celestial event as either a total or partial eclipse, weather permitting. Millions more throughout North America, parts of South America, Africa, the Pacific, and Europe will also be treated to a partial solar eclipse. Communities, organizations, and citizens have been preparing for years for this occurrence, and NASA is privileged to be a part. This website describes NASA’s unique contribution, “Through the Eyes of NASA”, and attempts to provide a service for you and your family to safely view and enjoy the eclipse. This is by no means the only site you should visit. There are many fine commercial sites to explore, but as an agency serving all citizens, we cannot endorse any commercial organizations. So, plan for Monday, August 21, 2017, to be a historic day, and let us know how we can improve our service by emailing: c.alex.young@nasa.gov.

These are some of the many contributors to awareness, information, and science of eclipses. We are continually updating this list.

  • Andrew Fraknoi
  • Angela Speck
  • Charles Fulco
  • Doug Duncan
  • Fred Espenak
  • Jay Anderson
  • Jay Pasachoff
  • Kate Russo
  • Mario Matto
  • Michael Bakich
  • Michael Zieler
  • Mike Kentrianakis
  • Peter Aniol
  • Rick Fienberg
  • Shadia Habbal
  • Tyler Nordgren
  • Xavier Jubier
National Aeronautics and Space Administration