The 2017 total solar eclipse

One of the most important solar events is happening this summer. A total solar eclipse is when the moon is completely blocks the sun. It will like nighttime, and the only things that will be visible are the outer edges of the sun's corona.

On August 21, starting at 16:48:33 UTC, this is happening along a strip of land across the United States. The darkness will last around three minutes. This will include places from Oregon and South Dakota. In other places in the continental United States, northern Mexico, and southern Canada, you will only see a partial solar eclipse, but it will be epic nonetheless.

Most astronomers, professionals and amateurs alike, are marking this day as a vacation as this is a rare occurrence. On the day, people numbering in the tens of millions will be driving to the path of totality. Hotels are already filled, so anyone who wants to experience it will have to find an alternative.

The next total solar eclipse will happen in 2019.

Click here to see NASA's video


Remember to wear protective eyewear, as looking directly at the eclipse will still be harmful to your eyes!

Cities under the path of totality will no doubt host viewing stations so one might consider going there.

To any one who is chasing the three minutes of complete totality, good luck on your endeavors and to anyone who wants to view a partial eclipse, that is cool, too!