The total solar eclipse set to happen in two days will offer a mesmerizing experiences for Americans across the nation and will mark a first for the digital era.
And while a total solar eclipse isn’t rare, this particular one on August 21 has a uncommon coast-to-coast path across the country and is slated to inspire a new age of thinking among youth called ‘Generation Eclipse’.
The path of totality – between 60 and 70 miles wide path where the eclipse will be visible – will be personally viewed by millions and even more will stream it online, or through social media.
The solar eclipse may bring about a new wave of thought from the ‘Generation Eclipse’ or those born around 2010
A partial eclipse – where the sun will be blocked by the moon – can be seen by Americans all across the country.
Totality is said to be transformative as people are said to emote when exposed to the cosmos.
Total solar eclipses were sparse in the United States for the 20th century, with three happening over a 30 year period in the early 1900s. The more recent two were hard to see due to inclement weather or having not reached landfall.
The path of totality – between 60 and 70 miles wide path where the eclipse will be visible – will be personally viewed by millions
By 2099, six widely visible total solar eclipses will be viewable. Smaller portions of the country will get total solar eclipses four other times.
For children born around 2010, the prospect of seeing eight total eclipses on American soil before they were to reach 70 would be impressive. The events would also be ones that could help unify the country.
‘When was the last time we really had a big national shared event that wasn’t a tragedy?’ David Baron, science reporter and author of ‘American Eclipse,’ said to Oregon Live.
‘Awe-inspiring sights encourage empathy and generosity and group cohesion … and total eclipses always do that.’
This wouldn’t be the first of such occurrence in the nation’s history. In 1878, one such eclipse crossed over the west south into the Gulf of Mexico. It was also the year the nation was split over the election of President Rutherford B. Hayes and that summer Congress also held hearings over voter fraud allegations.
By 2099, six widely visible total solar eclipses will be viewable
Children alive during all of these are thought to become the new scientist and astronauts, inspired by the cosmos
And while the eclipse didn’t do much to ease tension, it is believed that this could do more.
Total totality was seen possibly by 2.1million people in 1878, and the addition of streaming will make this one of the most viewed eclipses in history.
Oregon and Illinois are the only states that fall along the totality path to have voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Total totality was seen possibly by 2.1million people in 1878, and the addition of streaming will make this one of the most viewed eclipses in history
And with people from all walks of life scheduled to see the eclipse, it is sure to bring about peace and cooperation.
‘I don’t want to exaggerate, obviously the moon’s shadow is not suddenly going to get red and blue America to hold hands and move along, but I do think it will help,’ Baron said.
‘It just reminds us that we are these miniscule little beings on a piece of rock floating on a rock in outer space, so we better get along.’
Retired NASA astronomer Fred Espenak has seen seen 27 solar eclipses in his lifetime and has logged more than an hour of accumulated time in totality.
He’s anticipated the eclipse for decades, having made maps up until the year 3000.
‘Maybe (the eclipse) will inspire some kid, some new genius to get into science,’ Espenak said. ‘It will be just the nudge some new Einstein needs.’
Espenak saw his first partial eclipse when he was 12, then witnesses a total one at 18. The 65-year-old would site these as being the motivation to pursue a career in astronomy and an eventual title of ‘Mr. Eclipse.’
‘Seeing a total eclipse – the beauty of it, the awe of it, the humbling of it – seeing how tiny we are, it really puts a lot of things into perspective,’ Espenak said.
‘I think these days people use the word ‘awesome’ to mean cool or neat, but I think the word ‘awesome’ was inspired by seeing a total eclipse. That is awesome. Everything else pales in comparison.’
WHERE TO SEE THE TOTAL ECLIPSE
The path of totality will stretch from Lincoln Beach, Oregon, to Charleston South Carolina.
To find out exactly when and where it will be visible, visit NASA’s interactive map, and click on a city along the path.
In less than two weeks, the United States will be treated to its first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse in nearly a century, sweeping across the country from Oregon all the way to South Carolina
Totality will cross the US from west to east, beginning at Lincoln Beach, Oregon, where totality will occur at 10:16 a.m. (PDT).
It will the US over roughly an hour and a half, passing through Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and North and South Carolina.
It will end near Charleston, South Carolina, at 2:48 p.m. (EDT), according to NASA.