The Great American Solar Eclipse 2017

2017 total solar eclipse, eclipse, sun, moon, skywatching, stargazing, amateur astronomy
During a total solar eclipse, the moon completely obscures the sun for parts of the Earth. Careful calculations help researchers and the public determine where to go to see the total blackout. (Image credit: Miloslav Druckmüller, Peter Aniol, Martin Dietzel, Vojtech Rusin via NASA)

On Aug. 21, 2017, the United States was treated to a rare celestial performance: a total solar eclipse, in which the Earth passed directly between the moon and the sun. Here's Live Science's coverage of the spectacular event.

Latest about solar eclipse

Solar eclipse image with the sun's corona glowing behind like wispy smoke

Photographers capture the exact moment a gargantuan storm blasts out of the sun during a total solar eclipse

By Harry Baker published

A stunning composite image of the sun during a recent 'hybrid eclipse' in Australia is further proof that solar activity is ramping up.

A "diamond ring" heralded the beginning of totality.

I watched the moon 'take a bite of the sun' in a rare hybrid solar eclipse last week. Here's what I saw from Australia.

By Jamie Carter published

From my viewpoint in the Exmouth Gulf of Western Australia, the solar eclipse's totality brought a colossal corona and a dramatic drifting diamond ring.

A satellite view of a partial solar eclipse seen on Oct. 25, 2022.

A very rare 'hybrid' solar eclipse will take place Thursday, here's how to watch

By Ben Turner published

A rare hybrid solar eclipse will appear over Oceania and Southeast Asia on Thursday, April 20. Here's what it means and how to watch it.

This 1970s reconstruction of the Antikythera Mechanism was designed by Derek de Solla Price and constructed by R. Deroski.

World's first computer, the Antikythera Mechanism, 'started up' in 178 B.C., scientists claim

By Owen Jarus last updated

The mysterious Antikythera mechanism, thought by some to be the world's first computer, was first "started up" on Dec. 22, 178 B.C., archaeologists have now found.

A satellite view of the partial solar eclipse seen on Oct. 25, 2022.

Watch a 'ring of fire' eclipse play out from space in epic new NASA footage

By Brandon Specktor published

A partial solar eclipse on Oct. 25 looked like an epic ring of fire when viewed by NASA's Hinode satellite, new footage reveals.

Birds sit on a branch in from of a partial solar eclipse on Oct. 25, 2022

Stunning (and spooky) photos of the final solar eclipse of 2022

By Brandon Specktor published

On Tuesday, Oct. 25, half the world saw the moon's shadow creep over the surface of the sun in the year's last partial solar eclipse.

A partial solar eclipse is seen from Arlington, Virginia, Thursday, June 10, 2021.

The last partial solar eclipse of 2022 is today, here’s what you need to know

By Ben Turner published

The moon will block out the sun across Europe, north Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia

This ancient Greek "computer" called the Antikythera mechanism continues to puzzle scientists as to what it was used for.

Ancient Greeks Built an Eclipse-Predicting 'Computer' 2,000 Years Ago

By Tia Ghose last updated

An ancient astronomical calculator known as the Antikythera mechanism was used to predict both solar and lunar eclipses, research shows.

This NASA illustration depicts a solitary black hole in space, with its gravity warping the view of stars and galaxies in the background.

The 7 most terrifying things in space

By Jamie Carter published

Here are seven of the most terrifying things in space, including solar flares, black holes and supernovas.

Moon (black circle) passing in front of the sun (a fiery yellow circle).

Stunning solar eclipse caught by NASA in incredible closeup

By Elizabeth Howell published

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory in outer space spotted a solar eclipse when the moon passed in front of the sun on June 29, 2022.

123456789