Video Of The Week — Historic Total Solar Eclipse Captivates Millions Across America
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On Monday, August 21, millions of Americans across the country donned their protective eyeglasses to watch the highly anticipated total solar eclipse. Though the eclipses, which occur about every 18 months, are not rare, this one was historic. It was not only the first total solar eclipse visible from the mainland U.S. in more than 38 years, but also the first to be seen coast to coast in almost a century.
The crowds cheered as the moon briefly obscured the sun, plunging cities all the way from Oregon to South Carolina into darkness. A shiver ran down many spines as the temperatures dropped dramatically, by up to 12 degrees Fahrenheit, during totality. Those fortunate enough to have clear skies not only saw the corona, the sun’s outer atmosphere, which is usually not visible in the sun’s glare but also the bright stars and planets.
Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperative everywhere. The crowds gathered in Charleston, SC, the last big city in the path of totality, had to contend with a thick cloud cover when the partial eclipse began at 1:17 pm. It did thin out a little as totality took place at 2:46 pm, allowing for a good view of the eclipse, but not the sun’s corona! However, some spectacular bolts of lightning that occurred just as the moon covered the sun helped ease the disappointment somewhat. Even those not in the 70-mile wide path of the total solar eclipse had something to look forward to, since a partial one was visible across all 50 states!
All in all, the rare event, believed to be the most observed and most photographed eclipse in history, was a huge success. As Bill Nye aka "the Science Guy" succinctly put it, "Experiencing an eclipse changes the way we feel about space and how we are connected. I hope this moment reminds us all that we share a common origin among the stars and that we are all citizens of the same planet."
Resources: abc.go,com, vox.com,telegraph.co.uk
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503 Comments
- lebren jamesabout 5 yearscool
- panda,bearover 5 yearsi never get to see the solar eclipse
- JOEJOEBOYalmost 6 yearsSo cool I cannot wait for the 2019 solar eclipse we are supposed to get a total solar eclipse this year.
- Justinalmost 6 yearsso cool
- bacon souc almost 6 yearsthere is a solar eclipse dragon that roms around daring the event so you cant see it
- bacon souc almost 6 yearsbut when the eclipes happen the eclipes Dragon come out and if you try to see it you will be blind even with the the solar eclipes glasses you wont be abel to see it because it is black on the out side so you can only see the eclipes not the dragon its a legeond to see the evlipes Dragon i want to see it even if it tacks my eye sight
- bacon souc almost 6 yearsbut also did you no there is a eclipse Dragon that makes it happen erler
- bacon souc almost 6 yearsmy brother got blind from it sad :( and he was my faviret brother
- wallresalmost 6 yearsmy dad doesint let me see it
- alainamabout 6 yearsthe eclipse was cool last year