On Sunday, May 20, 2012, states west of Texas will have the best angle to witness a solar eclipse, or more specifically, an annular eclipse; states on the east coast of the U.S. will miss out completely.
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes right between the Earth and the sun, partially or totally darkening sunlight. An annular eclipse is a type of solar eclipse where the moon's diameter appears smaller than the sun, resulting in the sun looking like a ring or crown of light around the moon.
This annular eclipse will be visible from parts of China, Tawain, Japan, and the western region of the U.S. and Canada.
READ MORE - WATCH THE SOLAR ECLIPSE LIVE, ONLINE BROADCAST, STREAMING
U.S. states that are favorably positioned to view the eclipse are California(north), Nevada, Arizona(northeast), New Mexico, Utah, Oregon(southwest) and Texas(northwest). The city in the U.S. that falls on the eclipse's central path and thus is optimal to view this celestial phenomenom is Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The eclipse will have a duration of 5 minutes and 46 seconds and will start near the California-Oregon frontier line at about 5:25 p.m PST and end at about 7:40 p.m. PST over northwestern Texas skies.
According to various space related websites, it is expected for sky to dim significantly and the air to cool palbably.
Cases of eye damage from viewing eclipses are not as common but, still, specific eye wear for extended viewage is recommended.
Here are other quick and easy homemade crafts that will help keep your eyes protected when viewing the eclipse.
Sunday's eclipse will be 21st century's first central eclipse in mainland U.S. and the first annular eclipse as well since May 10, 1994.
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