HOURS for viewing SUN ECLIPSE. USA & more

FROM NASA   -

The Sun: The Basics

The sun is a star, a hot ball of glowing gases at the heart of our solar system. Its influence extends far beyond the orbits of distant Neptune and Pluto. Without the sun's intense energy and heat, there would be no life on Earth. And though it is special to us, there are billions of stars like our sun scattered across the Milky Way galaxy. If the sun were as tall as a typical front door, the Earth would be the size of a U.S. nickel. The temperature at the sun's core is about 27 million degrees Fahrenheit.

Average diameter: 864,000 miles, about 109 times the size of the Earth.

Rotation period at equator: About 27 days.

Rotation period at poles: About 36 days.

Surface temperature: 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Composition: Hydrogen, helium.

August 21st Event


On Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature’s most awe inspiring sights - a total solar eclipse. This path, where the moon will completely cover the sun and the sun's tenuous atmosphere - the corona - can be seen, will stretch from Salem, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. Observers outside this path will still see a partial solar eclipse where the moon covers part of the sun's disk. NASA created this website to provide a guide to this amazing event. Here you will find activities, events, broadcasts, and resources from NASA and our partners across the nation.

SEE IT DIRECT FROM NASA -- following aircraft 

https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/eclipse-who-what-where-when-and-how