Witnessing the Rare ‘Great American Eclipse’ Today: From How to Watch It to Interesting Facts You Need to Know

Today, Monday, August 21st, marks another awe-inspiring traversal of the moon’s shadow as we are set to witness a spectacular total solar eclipse. This rare phenomenon will slice its way across the entire United States, creating an unforgettable spectacle, a ballet of celestial bodies where day inexplicably shifts to an eerie twilight. The total eclipse path, in its glory, will stretch from the West Coast in Oregon to the east in South Carolina, touching down briefly in parts of Montana and Iowa making it a uniquely transcendent experience.

While total solar eclipses occur somewhere on Earth every two to three years, they are often over remote areas like the Antarctic lands or vast bodies of water. The journey this eclipse is embarking upon across the US makes it an especially notable event.

It’s time to buckle up as even peripheral regions like Canada, Central America and the northern part of South America get ready to bask in the beauty of a partial eclipse. The main spectacle, however, will begin in Oregon and culminate in Charleston, South Carolina, putting on a grand show like no other.

Across the United States, from coast to coast, Americans are already thronging to campsites, eagerly situating themselves in the best possible locations to marvel at this once-in-a-lifetime sky show. This excitement is fuelled by the fact that a total solar eclipse of this scale last graced the US skies around 99 years ago, making today’s event a century-in-the-making cosmic performance.

Not in the US? Here’s how you can still witness the magic

Today’s celestial show, besides offering an exciting spectacle, is also dubbed as ‘the Great American Eclipse. The drama will unfold starting at 1546 GMT or 9.16 IST and will draw its curtain at 18.48GMT or 12.52AM IST over the Pacific Ocean. The eclipse is expected to last the longest, about 2.44 minutes, in Illinois.

No worries if you are not within this geographical area as NASA, our eye in the sky, will broadcast the spectacle in great detail and convenience at your fingertips. According to NASA, their broadcast will “provide viewers with a wealth of images captured before, during, and after the eclipse by 11 spacecrafts, at least three NASA aircraft, more than 50 high-altitude balloons, and the International Space Station.” This splendid coverage from multiple angles and dimensions will transport you to the heart of the spectacle, right under the sky. Additionally, several news channels also plan to broadcast the eclipse live.

And now for the show’s main attractions. NASA explains, in a recent publication, the stages of the eclipse. The first stage, taking over an hour, will see the sun’s disk partially blocked by the moon. This phase can be safely observed from the Earth with specially designed glasses. As we ascend to the second stage, the moon will produce a brilliant diamond ring light effect, symbolizing the final countdown before the grand finale. At the edge of the moon, valleys will allow streaming light to pass through and the iconic crescent will start to reveal itself. And voila! The complete solar eclipse unfolds in all its grandeur.

Don’t miss this natural phenomenon which is nothing short of extraordinary. The next such occurrence will not be till 2019, over Argentina, Chile and South Pacific, or another one in America which will pass through mainland Texas, Midwest, Indianapolis, Cleveland, and New York.