Your Viewing Guide to the "Great American Total Solar Eclipse"
On August 21st, an extraordinary cosmic event, which is being hailed the “Great American Total Solar Eclipse” will be viewable to millions across the United States. It is the first time in 38 years that we here in the United States get to witness this spectacular event. What makes this solar eclipse all the more remarkable is that it will be the first coast-to-coast total eclipse in a century. We love the image this conjures—90 minutes of the moon’s dark shadow crossing the entire country while families, friends, neighbors, and strangers gather outside with their “eclipse glasses” in place, heads tilted sunward, collectively experiencing the awe of this phenomenon.
Why is a total eclipse such an amazing occurrence and sight to behold? Why is it that in places like Sun Valley, Idaho and Highlands, North Carolina,which are within the approximately 70-mile-wide path of the total eclipse, are there an estimated 370, 000 and 63,900 , respectively, traveling to bear witness?
When a total solar eclipse occurs the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, resulting in the Moon fully blocking the Sun's light. Weather permitting, onlookers in areas where the eclipse will be visible, can expect to witness a brief transformation from daylight into twilight (the duration of which will differ due to geographical location). And we'll see a corona, a distinct orange-red outline of the Sun’s outer atmosphere behind the Moon.
As Natural Retreats is fortunate to have several destinations within the west-to-east path of this fantastic cosmic event we wanted to provide a timetable guide for our guests.
Western United States
Sun Valley, Idaho
Partial Eclipse: 10:12 am MST
Full (Total) Eclipse: 11:29 am MST
Duration of Total Eclipse: 2 minutes and 22 seconds
South Fork, Idaho
Partial Eclipse: 10:16 am MST
Full (Total) Eclipse: 11:35 am MST
Duration of Total Eclipse: 2 minutes and 21 seconds
Teton Springs, Idaho
Partial Eclipse: 10:17 am MST
Full (Total) Eclipse: 11:36 am MST
Duration of Total Eclipse: 2 minutes and 21 seconds
Big Sky, Montana
Visibility: 97%
Maximum Eclipse Viewing: 11:35 am MST
Eastern United States
Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
Visibility: ~95%
Maximum Eclipse Viewing: 2:35 EST
Sea Islands, South Carolina
Visibility: ~90%
Maximum Eclipse Viewing: 2:46 EST
Lake Toxaway, North Carolina
Partial Eclipse: 1:07 pm EST
Full (Total) Eclipse: 2:36 pm EST
Duration of Total Eclipse: 2 minutes and 8 seconds
Highlands, North Carolina
Partial Eclipse: 1:07 pm EST
Full (Total) Eclipse: 2:35 pm EST
Duration of Total Eclipse: 2 minutes and 33 seconds
*All times are approximate and content is based on data by NASA, Weather.com and Eclipse2017.org.