6 Amazing Facts about the Total Solar Eclipse

Plus, how to watch it along with us right here in Glacier National Park.

We are very excited about the upcoming solar eclipse, which will roll over our world next Monday! It's definitely going to be a thrill. If you're here in Glacier National Park, join us! If you're far away and want to experience it as it goes over our neck of the woods, see the list below of where we're going to be going live.We have some of the best vantage points and lookouts in the region, so we're expecting something stunning.  

In preparation for the eclipse, here are the basics you need to know:

1. A solar eclipse is a lineup of the sun, the moon and earth. The moon, directly between the sun and earth, casts a shadow on our planet. If you’re in the dark part of that shadow (the 'umbra'), you’ll see a total eclipse. If you’re in the light part (the 'penumbra'), you’ll see a partial eclipse
2. This is the first total solar eclipse visible in the continental United States and Canada in 38 years. It will be totally visible in 12 of the United States. It will only be partially visible in all Canadian provinces.
3. At 11:31 am MDT on August 21, 2017 Glacier National Park will experience a Partial Solar Eclipse, but the sun will be well over 90% obstructed by the moon - it's going to be an amazing show there and also in Vancouver, Canada, where the sun will go dark at around 10:00 am PDT! At the same time in Banff National Park, the Partial Solar Eclipse will still be magnificent, but only about 80% of the sun will be covered.
4. If you are lucky enough to be in Nashville, Tennessee at 1:28 pm you are in for two minutes of complete darkness as the moon will totally block the sun. This is a very rare spot in the path of an eclipse, and it is happening in the USA!
5. While it is safe to view the eclipse at its peak totality (the time when the sun is completely obstructed) with the naked eye, during the entire event you should wear protective solar viewing glasses. These protective shades make it possible for observers to look directly at the sun before and after totality. Sunglasses are NOT protective solar viewing glasses. Take care of your eyes!
6. North Americans will not experience another Total Solar Eclipse until April 8, 2024. That one will be seen from Mexico up through Texas, the Midwest United States, parts of New England, and Eastern Canada.

Here's what we have planned to share this amazing event with you:

Stay tuned to our Facebook pages for live video as the eclipse rolls across!

In Glacier, we'll be at Whitefish Mountain Resort/Summit of Big Mountain on the Glacier Park, Inc. Facebook page. We'll also be at St. Mary lodge on the Glacier Park, Inc. Instagram page. 

You can also view in real-time from our webcams in Glacier Park. 

At our other locations across Pursuit there is all this to look foward to: 

• FlyOver Canada will kick things off from Vancouver on their Facebook and Instagram.
• In Banff, we'll be giving you a live shot of the sky from atop the Banff Gondola on our Facebook page.
• You can also see the view from our webcams at the top of the Banff Gondola, at Lake Minnewanka, the Columbia Icefield and at Maligne Lake on our Canadian Rockies webcams page.