North America Will See First Total Solar Eclipse in Decades in 2017

Next year’s solar event will take place on August 21, 2017.

North America will see its first total eclipse since 1979 in a year, and some people are planning ahead by booking hotel rooms.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon crosses between the earth and the sun, which is blocked out. The moon and the Earth will be perfectly aligned for a few minutes on Aug. 21, 2017. 

But Southern Californians will have to settle for a partial eclipse. The prime viewing spots in the western United States include a swath of the Oregon coast, southern Idaho and central Wyoming. 

Self-described eclipse chaser Mike Kentrianakis told KPCC the best viewing spots for the total eclipse will be within a 70-mile wide path that stretches from the Pacfic Northwest to South Carolina. 

"Oh, it's bigger than the Super Bowl, much bigger," said Kentrianakis

The next total solar eclipse after the 2017 alignment will happen in 2024.

Read more at KPCC.

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