The 2017 Total Solar Eclipse Will Be Historic — Here’s Why

A solar eclipse takes place when the moon passes in front of the sun during daylight hours. The shadow of the moon blocks the sun’s light either partially (a partial solar eclipse) or completely (a total solar eclipse).

A solar eclipse isn’t a particularly rare phenomenon; in fact, around the world each year there can be as many as five solar eclipses. So what makes the total solar eclipse of 2017 so special?

Let’s find out by looking at total eclipses around the world and what to expect in 2017 when a truly historic total eclipse happens right above our heads.

A Little Light

While the total solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves completely in front of the sun blocking the light of the sun from hitting the surface of the earth, there is a little light which escapes, giving the appearance of a “halo” or corona around the moon itself which makes for a vivid, memorable image.