What to know about the upcoming solar eclipse

Bane is about to feel right at home this upcoming Monday – when some parts of the US will be plunged into total darkness as the Moon travels in front of the Sun, marking a rare celestial event that won’t happen again until 2044.

The solar eclipse will be visible, at least in part, to nearly everyone in the continental US. But the path of totality – where the moon completely blocks the sun, resulting in total darkness – is expected to be a 115-mile-wide region that stretches from southern Texas through northern Maine (pictured above).

• Southern Texas will experience the totality first, around 2:30 pm ET, with the time getting later as the moon’s shadow moves north. Indianapolis will see the totality around 3:05 pm ET, Cleveland at 3:15, and northern Maine around 3:30.

What to expect: While the eclipse will bring an unusually long ~4 minutes of darkness to areas located within the totality’s path, a lot more will happen during the phenomenon. The temperature will drop, many animals like pets or birds will act unusually, and streetlights may briefly flicker on as if Dumbledore sheathed his Deluminator.

• The sky is also projected to shine in a unique way during the total solar eclipse. Stars, several planets, and even a rare comet will be visible to those in the path of totality.

😎 Looking ahead... If you’re planning to view Monday’s solar eclipse, you’ll need a special kind of glasses to avoid damaging your eyes.

• While looking at the Sun with the naked eye is always dangerous, its brightness normally triggers a pain response that makes you look away.
• An eclipse temporarily blocks the Sun’s wavelengths that trigger pain, but it doesn’t stop its strong UV rays from damaging the eye, hence the need for protective lenses.
• But, but, but: There is one exception according to NASA: it’s safe to remove eclipse glasses only when the Sun is completely obscured by the Moon during totality – and only if you are in the path of 100% totality.

📊 Flash poll: Are you planning to take time out of your regular schedule to watch the solar eclipse on Monday?

• Yes
• No
• Unsure/other