This summer, a rare natural occurrence will take place above the state of Oregon, and it’s going to be amazing. On August 21st, 2017, a total solar eclipse will be passing through the Beaver State, a rare event that will darken the skies and create a spectacle so amazing that roughly 1 million people are coming from across the world to bare witness.
On August 21st, a rare total solar eclipse will be visible in parts of the United States, from the Oregon Coast all the way to South Carolina.
flickr/ J Lippold
Oregon is said to be one of the best places to view the eclipse, due to the duration of the total eclipse (hovering around just over 2 minutes) combined with the high chance of clear weather.
flickr/ Dave Price You’ll definitely want to have your plans figured out ahead of time, since hotels are already booked up and traffic is going to be very hectic day-of.
So what exactly is an eclipse? Eclipses take place when a new moon passes between the earth and the sun, blocking the light of the sun from reaching the earth.
flickr/ Takeshi Kuboki With the light of the sun obscured, the sky darkens and the sun disappears, except for a thin, beautiful ring of light around the edge of the sun. It’s a strange and beautiful sight.
That being said, you can’t view it plainly with your bare eyes; permanent eye damage can be done to anyone who views a solar eclipse without certified solar eclipse protective glasses or solar filters.
flickr/ NASA HQ PHOTO Make sure to get yourself a pair ahead of time.
Already, the hotels in the path of the eclipse have been booked.
flickr/ Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington Reservable campsites have also filled up quickly, but there are many non-reservable campgrounds you can try to snag closer to the date.
If you’re lucky enough to live in the path of totality, you can simply set up a lawn chair and take in this incredible cosmic occurrence from your own backyard.
flickr/ Diego Sevilla Ruiz Or, you can grab a front row seat in a friend’s backyard.
There are also numerous festivals taking place throughout the state in response to this amazing event.
flickr/ Oregon State University There’s the Oregon Eclipse Festival in the Ochoco National Forest, Solar Fest in Madras, The OMSI Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at the Oregon County Fairgrounds, the Total Eclipse of the Garden in Silverton, Moonshadow Festival in Central Oregon, Indy Goes Dark Festival in Independence, and many more. Tickets are selling out fast just about everywhere, so get yours soon!
The path of the eclipse will be pass through a strip of Oregon including Salem, Madras, Warm Springs, Baker City, Corvallis, Lincoln City, John Day Fossil Beds, and more.
youtube/ The Oregonian The entire event will be taking place (in Oregon) between roughly 10:15and 10:27am.
Check out this short video by The Oregonian to find out more:
flickr/ J Lippold
flickr/ Dave Price
You’ll definitely want to have your plans figured out ahead of time, since hotels are already booked up and traffic is going to be very hectic day-of.
flickr/ Takeshi Kuboki
With the light of the sun obscured, the sky darkens and the sun disappears, except for a thin, beautiful ring of light around the edge of the sun. It’s a strange and beautiful sight.
flickr/ NASA HQ PHOTO
Make sure to get yourself a pair ahead of time.
flickr/ Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington
Reservable campsites have also filled up quickly, but there are many non-reservable campgrounds you can try to snag closer to the date.
flickr/ Diego Sevilla Ruiz
Or, you can grab a front row seat in a friend’s backyard.
flickr/ Oregon State University
There’s the Oregon Eclipse Festival in the Ochoco National Forest, Solar Fest in Madras, The OMSI Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at the Oregon County Fairgrounds, the Total Eclipse of the Garden in Silverton, Moonshadow Festival in Central Oregon, Indy Goes Dark Festival in Independence, and many more. Tickets are selling out fast just about everywhere, so get yours soon!
youtube/ The Oregonian
The entire event will be taking place (in Oregon) between roughly 10:15and 10:27am.
What are your plans for the big day?
Oregon is also home to numerous natural phenomena you can check out year-round. Find out more here.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
