Solar eclipse to happen Aug. 21

WASHINGTON, DC – On Aug. 21, all of North America will view – weather permitting – a partial eclipse, when the moon obscures part of the sun.

A total eclipse will be viewable throughout a 70-mile-wide path that crosses 14 of the United States from Oregon to South Carolina. (see map)

The umbra (or dark inner shadow) of the moon will be traveling from west to east from almost 3,000 miles per hour in western Oregon to 1,500 miles per hour in South Carolina.

The last total eclipse in the United States occurred on Feb. 26, 1979.

About 12.2 million Americans live in the path of the total eclipse. Of course, with visitors, that number will be much higher on Aug. 21.

About 200 million people (a little less than two-thirds the nation's population) live within one day's drive of the path of this total eclipse. In addition, millions of Americans will be able to view a partial eclipse, weather permitting.

The lunar shadow enters the West Coast at 9:05 a.m. PDT, and Lincoln City, Oregon will be the first place in the continental U.S. to see the total solar eclipse, beginning at 10:15 a.m. PDT.

The eclipse can be viewed live as it happens at www.nasa.gov/eclipselive.