2017 Total Solar Eclipse Essentials Fact Sheet

Anticipating the Excitement of the World’s First “All American” Total Solar Eclipse

(you may download or print this fact sheet)

 

by Marc Nussbaum, author of “Total Solar Eclipse 2017: Your Guide to the Next U.S. Eclipse,”

See complete guide book now on Amazon: http://audiblerush.com

 

eclipse cover 1to5On Monday August 21, 2017, the universe will reveal itself in an epic show more astonishing than anything ever devised by the magic of Hollywood or Disney. On eclipse day, we here on Earth will see what the Sun has been concealing all these years. As the blinding light goes dim, we get to peek behind the wizard’s curtain and see for `ourselves, all the magical eclipse phenomenon; including the most spectacular sight of all, the solar atmosphere or corona. Unlike a rock concert, the tickets to this show are free! You don’t have to be a member of the one percent to see it. No bouncer will assess your sense of style and pass judgment. There is no radio station to call, in hopes of winning giveaway tickets. The best seats in the house cost the same as the ones in the nose bleed section.

 

 

1. This will be the world’s first ever “All American Total Solar Eclipse.” The 2017 eclipse will be the first total solar eclipse to make land ONLY in the US (no foreign territories). The last one like this occurred 760 years ago (in 1257) but the US did not exist yet. The next “All American Total Solar Eclipse” won’t occur until 2316 (299 years).

2. For the first time in 99 years, front row seats will be located coast-to-coast, throughout the center of the U.S.A. The last time a total solar eclipse visited even a small portion of the continental U.S. was 38 years ago in a small corner of the Pacific Northwest.

3. If you know where to observe from, the show will be spectacular. To see totality, you will need to be within 30 miles of the center-line of the eclipse shadow path. Totality will be visible in portions of the following 12 states: Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

See complete guide book now on Amazon: http://audiblerush.com

4. Viewing the eclipse will be a bit like seeing a Broadway show with three distinct “acts” lasting about 2 ½ hours: the beginning partial phase, totality and the ending partial phase. The show starts at different times throughout the US; starting approximately 10:15 AM local time on the West Coast, and about 1:20 PM local time on East Coast. The curtains part and the Moon and the Sun slowly work their way towards each and then a first, tentative kiss. The disks of the Sun and the Moon appear to touch for the first time; we have first contact.

5. When the Sun is 95% covered by the Moon it appears as if we’re in the middle of a scene out of a sci-fi movie. In the far distance, the shadow of the Moon sweeps towards us at over 1,000 miles per hour, revealing a rare 360-degree sunset, enveloping us in darkness and plummeting air temperature downward, driving a frenzy of animation and chatter, building a crescendo of anticipation among the crowd. Someone cries “Baily’s beads,” as the remaining thin sliver of the Sun breaks into dozens of incredibly intense, individual points of bright white light. Almost immediately, the twinkling pearl necklace of beads begins to shrink until the bright light coalesces into a single large bead. The Moon moves into its most central position over the face of the Sun, forming a ring of light, completely surrounding the jet-black disk of the Moon, the single large diamond-like bright bead and the intensely bright ring of light painting a picture, as if a giant diamond wedding ring has been hung high in the sky for all to admire.

6. Totality and the corona will be unveiled: Next the ring disappears and the sun is now totally covered. Surrounding this jet black “hole” in the sky is a huge white halo appearing like cotton or like huge petals of some incredibly beautiful cosmic flower shooting off into space. We’re seeing the Sun’s atmosphere, the solar corona. Totality in 2017 will last between about 2 minutes, and 2 minutes and 40 seconds depending on where you choose to observe along the center-line of the eclipse shadow.

See complete guide book now on Amazon: http://audiblerush.com

7. Everyone in the Continental US will at least see a partial eclipse. Even if they choose not to travel to the center-line of the eclipse shadow. Most of Canada and northern Mexico will also see a partial solar eclipse.

8. Is this your last chance to see one? A tiny percentage of the world’s population has seen a total solar eclipse: There is a total eclipse somewhere on Earth every 16 months. Because they occur all over the globe and the main portion of the Moon’s shadow that touches the Earth is very small, very few people have actually seen totality. If you are more than 54 years old in 2015, statistically you have 2 more chances to see a total solar eclipse in the US (2017 and 2024).

9. Safety glasses are mandatory for all observers. To observe the partial phases of the eclipse without causing eye damage. These can be purchased online for less than $3 in advance. There is a long list of things people sometimes make the mistake of using as safety glasses that are actually quite dangerous. Be sure to use approved safety glasses.

10. Don’t forget to take a pair of binoculars. This one single item will do the most to increase your enjoyment of watching the eclipse if it is properly fitted with appropriate solar safety filters. A few other suggested items will be difficult to find while traveling so bring what you will need from home.

See complete guide book now on Amazon: http://audiblerush.com

11. Eclipses in History: Did you know that a lunar eclipse saved Christopher Columbus and his crew from starvation after becoming shipwrecked on the Island of Jamaica? After six months on the island, the natives suspended supplying food to the crew and only after “Columbus withdrew the Moon from the sky” was the food supply restored. Columbus returned to Spain, making history.

12. There is a traditional celebratory toast: After a successful observation, dedicated eclipse chasers often enjoy a celebratory toast using a chocolate syrup-milk-sparkling water drink known as an egg-cream that contains neither eggs nor cream.

13. First time eclipse watchers often get this simple fact wrong: The Sun and the Moon always rise in the east and set in the west. However, during a solar eclipse, the Moon appears to be moving to the east and sliding over the Sun. This is impossible. In reality, the Moon and the Sun are both moving towards the west, however, the Sun is moving faster than the Moon, catching up to the Moon and eventually passing behind the Moon. This creates the illusion of the Moon moving eastward.

14. Seeing a total solar eclipse is spectacular: Most people agree that this is an emotional, not-to-be-missed experience that belongs on everyone’s bucket list. Because of its proximity and easy access for all of the US population, the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse promises to be the most watched and most photographed eclipse in history.

15. For a complete guide to the 2017 eclipse, see the book “Total Solar Eclipse 2017: Your Guide to the Next US Eclipse” available on Amazon:  http://audiblerush.com 

It includes detailed maps, tips on how to choose a location, what items to take, how to best photograph the action and much more.

See complete guide book now on Amazon: http://audiblerush.com

 

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