The Great American Eclipse of 2017
On Monday, Aug. 21, Wayne State University will partner with the Michigan Science Center to provide viewing of the partial solar eclipse taking place at 1 p.m. The Department of Physics and Astronomy will join Michigan Science Center staff to provide expertise and special solar telescopes for safely viewing the eclipse.
Viewing of the eclipse will take place at the Michigan Science Center from 1 to 4 p.m.
Observers in southeast Michigan will experience an eclipse with a maximum of about 85 percent of the sun's disk covered by the moon. The partial eclipse will begin at 1:03 p.m. and end at 3:47 p.m. Maximum coverage occurs at 2:27 p.m.
The Michigan Science Center will also show a live feed of the eclipse a major benefit in case of clouds. Visit mi-sci.org for details about additional sun-related events occurring at the center.
What makes this solar eclipse especially noteworthy is the fact that the line of totality, the path along which the moon completely covers the sun, stretches entirely across the country from coast to coast. The last time a total solar eclipse crossed our country from coast to coast was 99 years ago, in 1918. In what is easily the astronomical event of the year, the total eclipse begins over land at the Pacific coastline in Oregon at 10:16 a.m. PDT and exits the country at the Atlantic coastline in South Carolina at 2:48 p.m. EDT.
The line of totality crosses through 12 states and is approximately 70 miles wide. This gives viewers along the center of the line of totality up to about two and a half minutes to observe the spectacular total solar eclipse.
Important: It is dangerous to look directly at a partial solar eclipse. Use only approved eclipse glasses.
Please see the various sites below to learn more about this remarkable astronomical event and about safe ways to view the eclipse.