The Great American Solar Eclipse 2017

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.

Related Topic: Planets

Latest Updates

Eclipse Viewer Images

How to make a solar eclipse viewer: Step-by-step photo guide

By Mindy Weisberger published

Watch an upcoming solar eclipse indirectly with this home-made viewer.

The moon's shadow passes south of Hurricane Barbara during the total solar eclipse of July 2, 2019, in this photo captured by the NOAA/NASA GOES West satellite.

Satellite Image Captures a Total Solar Eclipse and a Hurricane in One Awesome Shot

By Mike Wall published

The GOES-West weather satellite captured the gorgeous shot.

Magician's Film of 1900 Solar Eclipse Is World's Oldest Astronomical Movie (And It's Pure Magic)

By Mindy Weisberger published

The filmmaker preserved the event for generations to come.

Mysterious Substance and 'Devilry' Blamed for 3-Hour 'Solar Eclipse' in Russia

By Brandon Specktor published

The summer sun can shine nearly 24 hours a day in this part of Siberia. On July 20, it was blotted out for 3 hours by a nightmarish cloud.

Blood moon lunar eclipse

Why the July 27 Lunar Eclipse Will Last So Freakishly Long

By Rafi Letzter published

Some simple but fascinating science determines the length of each lunar (and solar) eclipse.

Feb 2012 partial solar eclipse

Friday the 13th Eclipse Visible to Lucky Few

By Joe Rao, Astronomer published

A solar eclipse is scheduled for Friday the 13th, but most skywatchers will be unlucky without doing a bit of traveling.

This composite image shows the progression of a total solar eclipse over Madras, Oregon, on Aug. 21, 2017.

Moon's Supersonic Shadow Created Waves During the Solar Eclipse

By Laura Geggel published

retina, solar retinopathy

Solar Eclipse Damage to Woman's Eye Revealed in Striking Images

By Samantha Mathewson published

Solar Eclipse Lawsuit: Couple Sues Amazon Alleging Faulty Glasses

By Rachael Rettner published

A couple in South Carolina has filed a lawsuit against Amazon, alleging that the company sold faulty solar eclipse glasses that did not adequately protect their eyes.

As the moon began to eclipse the sun on Aug. 21, 2017, a few sunspots were visible on the solar surface.

Totally Active: Eclipse Photos Reveal Sunspots, Solar Flares

By Stephanie Pappas published

Shots of the solar eclipse reveal an active sun.

A close up of a person's eye.

Eclipse Watchers in California Reportedly Put Sunscreen on Their Eyeballs

By Rachael Rettner published

Some eclipse watchers reportedly put sunscreen on their eyeballs during last week's eclipse.

Will Your Solar Eclipse Glasses Still Be Safe to Use in 2024?

By Mindy Weisberger published

People who recently acquired paper eclipse glasses might be wondering if they can reuse those glasses for the next North American solar eclipse.

How I Calculated Where the Solar Eclipse and My Plane Would Intersect

By Mindy Weisberger published

I flew cross-country on Aug. 21, and the eclipse view from midair was unsettling.

Solar-Power Generation During Aug. 21, 2017 Eclipse

Solar Power Dipped Along Great American Solar Eclipse Path (Video)

By Thomas Howell published

Solar power took a dip in the United States when the total eclipse swept across the country Monday (Aug. 21), as a new video shows.

Total Solar Eclipse by EPIC

'EPIC' Solar Eclipse View Captured from 1 Million Miles Away (Video)

By Sarah Lewin published

'My Eyes Feel Funny': Google Searches for Symptoms Spike After Eclipse

By Rachael Rettner published

After Monday's solar eclipse, many watchers were worried that viewing the event had hurt their eyes or caused other symptoms.

Oregon eclipse crowd

I Used Solar Eclipse Glasses, So Why Do My Eyes Feel Funny?

By Rachael Rettner published

After viewing the solar eclipse yesterday, some watchers reported that their eyes felt funny, even though they wore certified eclipse glasses.

Madras Solar Eclipse

Eclipse Watchers' Plane Crashes on Return Trip

By Rachael Rettner published

A small plane carrying four people who were returning from an eclipse-watching trip crashed just short of an airport in northern California.

People watch the solar eclipse at Saluki Stadium on the campus of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, on Aug. 21, 2017.

Total Solar Eclipse Leaves Southern Illinois College Town in Awe

By Denise Chow published

Pesky clouds threatened to spoil the view for tens of thousands of people who journeyed from near and far to this southern Illinois college town to witness the Great American Solar Eclipse.

Oregon eclipse crowd

Did the Solar Eclipse Damage Your Eyes? Here's How to Tell

By Rachael Rettner published

Many watchers of today's solar eclipse may have glanced at the sun without proper eye protection. But how do you know if you've hurt your eyes?