Solar Eclipse 2017: Dark In The Park Set For Aug. 21 In Woodstock

WOODSTOCK, GA -- The city of Woodstock will commemorate next week's total solar eclipse with a family-friendly celebration to allow you to view historic event from a comfortable spot.

The city's Dark in the Park: A Total Eclipse Viewing Party will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21 at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater. The event will include music, activities a moonwalk and moon pies. Woodstock also plans to provide eye protection to the first 200 people who arrive at the amphitheater.

The last time the U.S. saw a total eclipse was in 1979. During this year’s eclipse, the moon will fully block the sun for two minutes and 40 seconds. Only the northeast corner of Georgia will experience this; the rest of the state will see a partial eclipse. The moon will pass between the Earth and the sun, blocking all or part of the sun, for up to three hours.

During those brief moments -- when the moon completely blocks the sun’s bright face for about two minutes -- day will turn into night, making visible the otherwise hidden solar corona, the sun’s outer atmosphere. Bright stars and planets will become visible as well. Birds will fly to their nighttime roosts. Nocturnal insects such as cicadas and crickets will buzz and chirp.

For NASA, the eclipse provides a unique opportunity to study the sun, Earth, moon and their interaction because of its long path over land from coast to coast.

Eleven NASA and NOAA satellites, the International Space Station, more than 50 high-altitude balloons, and hundreds of ground-based assets will take advantage of this rare event over 90 minutes, sharing the science and the beauty of a total solar eclipse with all.

NASA will bring the Aug. 21 eclipse live to viewers everywhere in the world through live streams and a NASA TV broadcast.

Image via NASA