Eclipse enthusiasts may have to wait for just another year to witness one of the greatest phenomena of all time. In 2017, August 21 would mark an important day for such astronomy freaks when the sun will be partially eclipsed over a wide area, including some parts of the Pacific Ocean, South America, and the entire North American continent.
The important day in the history of astronomy has been dubbed "Great American Total Solar Eclipse." It is estimated that the eclipse would also cover a portion of western Europe, the Hawaiian Islands and almost entire North Atlantic Ocean. In addition, almost 80 percent of the sun's diameter would be eclipsed by the passing new moon in the United States, according to reports.
Apart from the partial eclipse, a total solar eclipse would be visible to a narrow belt from northwest to southeast. This is the first time since February 1979 that a part of the world in the diagonal belt across the Lower 48 will witness this phenomenon. In addition, it is the first time since 1918 that the path of a total solar eclipse would go from coast to coast in the US.
Although there have been many total solar eclipses till date, only a few people have been lucky enough to witness the phenomenon. Typically, total solar eclipse can be seen from an open ocean or thinly populated area. Even though a total solar eclipse occurs on an average of 17.6 months, Americans under 40 years of age who have never been out of the country have never witnessed this phenomenon.
So far, only three total solar eclipses have been visible from the mainland in the US - in 1963, 1970 and 1979. The long wait would finally end in 2017 when a majority of people would be able to see the Great American Total Solar Eclipse.
It is estimated that more than 12 million people will be able to see the total solar eclipse in 2017. In addition, about 220 million people live within 500 miles of the totality zone that can be accessed within a one-day drive.
