1. Total solar eclipses are considered one of the most beautiful sights in nature. People often describe the experience of seeing a total solar eclipse as "life changing."<br />2. During the eclipse, the moon will completely cover the face of the sun for less than 3 minutes.The exact duration and timing of totality depend on where you are in the eclipse path. <br />3. The last total solar eclipse to touch the continental U.S. was in 1979. The next one is in 2024. <br />4. When the moon completely covers the sun's disk, it is safe to view the eclipse with the naked eye.<br /><br />IMPORTANT: NEVER look directly at the eclipse while any part of the solar disk is visible.<br /><br />5. Aug. 21, 2017, will likely be one of the worst traffic days in American history. Millions of people are expected to commute into the eclipse path.
