Next month, August, on the 21st there will be a total solar eclipse of the Sun passing through the U.S. This is a fairly rare event, and I would have to say you should definitely not miss it if at all possible. To really experience it, you need to be at the right location as the path of totality is rather narrow.

The difference between a partial solar eclipse and a total is literally the difference between night and day. If you are in an area of partial eclipse, you may not even notice it as the Sun and sky will just be less bright. If you are in the region of totality, it becomes so dark that you can literally see the stars in the middle of the day.

The path of totality will go from Oregon through the midwest, and then through parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina. Helpful web sites are:
http://www.mreclipse.com/Totality2/ToalityCh11.html
https://elipse2017.nasa.gov
https://www.cloudynights.com/gallery/image/45258-solar-eclipse-2017-highway-traffic-density-map/

The conditions needed for a total solar eclipse are not common, so total eclipses are rare. First, the moon needs to be between the Sun and the Earth; this happens once every month during a new moon. However, the orbits of the moon and Earth are such that the moon's shadow usually passes either below or above the Earth. However, when the relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and moon are right, we get a total solar eclipse. Depending on the timing in the orbits the eclipse may or may not occur over the U.S.

Although the Moon is much smaller than the Sun, its distance from the Earth is such that it exactly covers the Sun's disk during an eclipse. This August 21 we have the perfect match.

Although I am a scientist who studies the Sun, I would have to say that the eclipse for me is mostly an emotional experience, something not to be missed if at all possible. For research, I primarily use spacecraft data.

The first total solar eclipse I experienced was in Montana in 1979. It was winter, and I had the fortune to be able to stay at a friend's cattle ranch with just a few friends. When totality occurred the sky went dark, you could see the stars, you could see rays of light coming from the Sun's outer atmosphere, and the coyotes started howling. Then the Sun came back out. None of us could say a word.

The second eclipse I saw was in 1999, from a mountain-top in Turkey overlooking the Euphrates River. Looking toward the west, I could see the valley with a bright blue river running through it. There was a gentle breeze blowing. As eclipse time neared, I could see a tower of darkness coming toward me reaching from the ground through the sky. The river was disappearing. This tower was coming toward me at very high speed, devouring the river. Suddenly it was night. The stars came out. I could see rays shining out from the Sun (the solar corona). The horizon showed a dim light all around, a 360-degree sunrise. But the Sun was gone. The breeze had stopped, and the air was completely still. Then, after about 3 minutes, the Sun reappeared. The sky was blue, and the breeze again started. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I could easily understand how ancient people were terrified by this event; it must have been a warning from the gods.

As a warning, I want to say that you should never look directly at the Sun. Even with "eclipse glasses" the Sun's rays could blind you. They must be made of the correct materials such that visible and UV light does not get through. The simplest and safest way to observe the Sun is to project it onto a piece of paper using one side of a pair of binoculars. You can practice this at any time before the eclipse. It is also a good way to see sunspots.

While I am torn about sharing this and increasing the traffic where I want to go, I do want to share a truly exceptional experience.