If you're in the U.S., a total solar eclipse is coming to a sky near you
Anyone worried about the world ending next year should probably mark their calendars for Aug. 21, when the sun will "undergo the most amazing celestial disappearing act seen [in North America] since 1979," National Geographic reports. The sun's disappearing act, more commonly known as a solar eclipse, will stretch from Oregon to South Carolina next summer.
A partial eclipse, where the moon shadows just a side of the sun, will be visible for much of the country. The "total" solar eclipse will also reach many American cities, with "most" of the U.S. population within a day's drive of a location that will go totally dark as the moon blocks the light of the sun. Or, as Shakespeare puts it: "'Tis day, and yet dark night strangles the traveling lamp." Have fun with that!
Assuming we make it past this one, the next solar eclipse in North America won't be until 2024.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Is the future of air travel hypersonic?
Under the Radar The dream of flying at five times the speed of sound still faces huge obstacles, ranging from technical to environmental to economic
By The Week UK Published
-
Supreme Court to resolve Louisiana gerrymander
Speed Read The court will hear a case challenging the second majority-Black district in the state
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists approve contract, end strike
Speed Read The company's largest union approved the new contract offer, ending a seven-week strike
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published