Fun Facts About the Total Solar Eclipse 2017 Did you know...?

While researching the solar eclipse happening in 2017, I discovered some fun facts. Here they are, in no particular order.

The last total solar eclipse in the continental United States was 38 years ago on Feb 26, 1979. The one prior to that was all the way back in 1442.
Totality is the time when the sun’s light is completely blocked by the moon.
This time totality only happens in the US.
Everyone in the continental US can see at least a partial eclipse. So will most of Canada and Mexico.
State capitols in the path of totality include Salem (OR), Jefferson City (MO), Nashville (TN), and Columbia (SC).
Telescopes aren’t necessary. You can see the effects of the solar eclipse with the naked eye.
Which brings me to the next point. Don’t LOOK at directly at the sun! Use proper eye protection. Here’s a link to solid info you can trust. https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety
The eclipse will plunge 14 different states into the dark.
You can see stars during the day during the eclipse.
A lunar eclipse occurs about two weeks before or after a solar eclipse.

Types of Solar Eclipse

Partial eclipses occur when the moon doesn’t line up completely. It only blocks part of the light.
Annular eclipses occur when the moon and sun line up directly but the moon is too far away from the Earth or we are closer to the sun. This makes a ring of light show around the moon.
Hybrid eclipses shift between a total and annular eclipse depending on where you view it from on Earth.
Total solar eclipses when the moon is the right distance to completely block the light.
Each year there are between 2-5 solar eclipses. They rarely cross the US, so we don’t see them.