The Great American Solar Eclipse of 2017 Is Happening Today

Millions of people are expected to watch as the eclipse cuts a path of totality 70 miles (113 kilometers) wide across the United States from Oregon to South Carolina on Aug. 21, 2017.

(Image credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

One of the biggest astronomical events of the century is finally here: Today (Aug. 21), a total solar eclipse will cross the U.S. from Oregon to South Carolina, starting in Oregon at 12 p.m. EDT/9 a.m. PDT (1600 GMT).

To viewers inside the "path of totality," the moon will completely cover the sun, darkening the sky and revealing the star's hidden atmosphere. This cloak of darkness has been known to make plants and animals behave strangely; it also creates a "360-degree sunset," in which the horizon in every direction will glow as if twilight had arrived early. It's an event that transcends science and stargazing, and it is quite simply amazing.

Latest Videos From

"Those who have not actually been immersed in [a total solar eclipse] have a hard time understanding what all of the fuss is about," E.C. Krupp, director of the Griffith Observatory and an eclipse enthusiast, wrote in an op-ed for Space.com. "It is, however, the most remarkable event ever delivered by the sky. Only the aurora, a close second, comes near totality in impact on the eye and on the heart."

If you aren't traveling into the path of the eclipse yourself, you probably know someone who is. We asked employees at Space.com's parent company, Purch, if they were traveling to see the eclipse, and many of them responded "yes." Mona Bushnell, a writer for Business News Daily and Tom's IT Pro, said her husband's interest in astronomy has rubbed off on her and she's looking forward to this major celestial event.

"We set up our telescope on the sidewalk in Queens during the supermoon lunar eclipse in 2015," Bushnell told Space.com. "It was awesome, not only because it was such a special event, but also because people from all walks of life stopped and asked to take a look, and before long, we had gathered quite a crowd. No one knew each other. Many didn't even speak the same language, but for one second, we were united in our humanity and dwarfed by space together. That's why I want to see the solar eclipse."

"I figure [a total solar eclipse] doesn't happen too often, that it is something people whose opinions I respect speak of in awe, and I like to travel/backpack even when the sun isn't disappearing," he told us. "I want to think about how scared people felt before they knew the very innocuous science behind why the sun disappears for a couple minutes, then sit back and enjoy the comfort of knowledge in a beautiful setting. I want to share the gift that is the American wilderness with my brother, who will be backpacking for the first time. I want to see something millions will see that day from a place that no one else will see on that day."

"That word, 'awesome,' has grown so overused that it's lost its original meaning," he continued. "True awe — a sense of wonder and insignificance in the face of something enormous and grand — is rare in our lives. But when you experience it, it's powerful. Awe dissolves the ego, it makes us feel connected, it promotes empathy and generosity. Well, there is nothing truly more awesome than a total solar eclipse."

"As of today, our weather seems ideal, so if that doesn’t change, we would expect that our number [of] visitors will be on the high side of estimates, certainly more than 50,000," he said. "The magnitude of this event has resulted in a lack of hotel rooms throughout the region, which tells us we're going to have a busy weekend. As far as SIU, the Saluki Stadium holds around 15,000 people, but games have been averaging around 5,000 per event over the past few years. We were told this week that the stadium is nearly full, so this may be the largest crowd that has been hosted at that venue."

The Great American Solar Eclipse of 2017 Is Happening Today

A truly awesome event

Planning for big crowds

Last-minute reminders