Teacher's Guide to the August 21, 2017 Total Solar Eclipse

On August 21, 2017, a total eclipse of the sun will occur in the United States. The eclipse will be visible along a line stretching from Oregon to South Carolina. Millions of people live near the path of totality, the area where the total eclipse is visible. The rest of the country will see a deep partial eclipse.

This will be the first total solar eclipse visible in the United States since 1979. Recent eclipses have been visible in Europe, Africa, and South America. The August 2017 eclipse will be within a short driving distance of much of the United States, and may become the most-watched astronomical event in history!

Monday, August 21 will be a school day for much of the country. I want to encourage you to share the eclipse with your students. With a little background knowledge, the eclipse can be safely experienced.

This guide describes the eclipse, what will be visible, and how to safely observe it. It also highlights the path of totality, the small area along the earth's surface where totality will be visible. The path of totality is a zone, approximately 70 miles in diameter, that extends from Oregon through Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

During totality, the sun resembles a black hole in a dark sky, and is surrounded by the ethereal corona, one of the rarest sites in nature. Totality can be seen without special glasses or equipment, and with this eclipse it lasts about two minutes (the partial eclipses, before and after totality, are not safe to observe without special equipment). Many schools are located directly in the path of totality!

I witnessed the July 11, 1991 total eclipse from Mazatlan, Mexico. A total eclipse of the sun is one of the most spectacular sites that nature provides. The August 2017 total eclipse in the United States will provide a rare opportunity and teaching moment. Use this Teacher's Guide to learn about how to safely observe the eclipse and share it with your students!

This Guide contains a link to download PowerPoint teaching slides about the eclipse, along with the following sections:

Introduction

Where will the eclipse be visible?

How do I safely look at the sun?

What are some facts about the sun?

What do I watch for during the eclipse?

Why do eclipses occur?

Summary: Go see the eclipse!

Vocabulary List

Quiz (with key)

Resources:

Eclipse Internet Sites and Info

Demos and Simulations

Filters and Safe Viewing

Telescopes

Astronomy Clubs

Webcasts

General Astronomy

Interdisciplinary

Sources: Images and Data

Appendices 1-6

One-page eclipse flier

Downloads: (Links provided)

PowerPoint Teaching Slides

Microsoft Word Document of this Teacher’s Guide