In six months, a total solar eclipse will cross the United States from coast to coast. The last time that happened was nearly a century ago.
Arizona astronomers are gearing up for the “Great American Eclipse.”
The moon’s shadow will cross the United States from Oregon to South Carolina in a 70-mile-wide strip. This region is called the “path of totality.” It’s the only place to see the moon completely block the sun for a few minutes.
Astronomers from Flagstaff’s Lowell Observatory will host a public celebration in Madras, Oregon, close to where the eclipse makes landfall.
“A total solar eclipse is life-changing,” said Kevin Schindler, Lowell Observatory’s public information officer and historian. “We’re going to have a whole football field of activities, from telescopes to students setting up science experiments, and some of those students are coming from right here in Flagstaff.”
Arizona is not in the path of totality. But a partial solar eclipse will be visible. Local celebrations are already planned in Flagstaff, Phoenix, Tucson, and Sierra Vista.
Learn more about Lowell Observatory’s event or visit NASA’s eclipse website.