For the first time in 99 years, a total solar eclipse will be visible on Aug. 21 to spectators across the contiguous United States. As the moon moves between the Earth and the sun, the 68-mile-wide shadow it casts (called the “umbra”) will sweep across the Earth’s surface, moving around 1,200 mph along a path stretching from Oregon to South Carolina. People in the center of the shadow’s path will be plunged into darkness for no more than about two and a half minutes. Stars, planets and the moon will become visible. It becomes curiously cold, dew frequently forms, and the chill is perhaps mental as well as physical.

Source: Huffington Post August 09, 2017 21:45 UTC