Did you get a chance to look at the solar eclipse on Monday, August 21st, 2017? If you live in lower North America, the chances were, yes. This was my third solar eclipse in my lifetime, but I’ve only seen one total eclipse. A solar eclipse is when the moon completely or partially covers the path the path of the sun, casting a shadow on the surface of the Earth. In the most recent eclipse, there was a thin path of totality through portions of 14 states. The longest period the moon blocks the sun is a mere two minutes and forty seconds. Remember to never look at the sun without appropriate eye protection. This should go without saying, but there have been people who have done so, and suffered permanent blindness.
In ancient times, eclipses were believed to be the work of mythical creatures or angry gods, and sometimes signified the end of the world. We know today that this is nonsense, and it is a natural celestial occurrence.
NICHOLAS T. DAVIS WRITER'S BLOG 