Total solar eclipse is all set to happen again, this time in August 2017. While only some parts of the world would experience total darkness, there are several other regions that will experience some extent of solar eclipse in the next year.
According to International Business Times, the celestial event all set to take place will be viewable in plain sight. This is the first time in many decades for some countries to witness such an event taking place.
A total solar eclipse occurs when moon comes in between the Earth and the Sun. As a result, a part of its shadow is cast on the Earth, which can be as dark as the night sky itself. But occurrence of total solar eclipse does not mean that it can be seen from any part of the planet.
People inside the darkest shadow regions are the ones who see total solar eclipse. However, those located outside experience a partial solar eclipse. While total light from the Sun is blocked in case of total solar eclipse, only some part of the moon blocks the light in case of partial solar eclipse.
According to EarthSky.org, total solar eclipse will be visible in Aug 2017 from within a narrow corridor in the US. This will be the first total solar eclipse in the last 99 years that will run from coast to coast in the US - from Oregon to South Carolina.
The US states that will witness the total solar eclipse include Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Kansas, North Carolina and South Carolina. People residing in Nebraska, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois and Georgia will also get to see this rare celestial event.
The best city to witness total solar eclipse in Aug 2017 will be Columbia, South Carolina. The state is expected to have the longest blackout time, estimated to be over two-and-a-half minutes. More than one million people from other towns and cities are expected to visit Columbia on the day of total solar eclipse to witness this once in a lifetime event.
