There’s an Extremely Rare Total Solar Eclipse Happening
A total eclipse of the sun will be visible in parts of Tennessee on Monday, August 21, 2017. A total eclipse of the sun happens when the moon passes between the earth and the sun, completely blocking the sun and casting a shadow across the surface of the earth. Day becomes night, you can see the brighter stars, and you can see the sun’s magnificent flowing atmosphere.
How Rare Is This Eclipse?
The last total eclipse visible in Tennessee occurred in 1498, and the next one won’t happen until 2566!
How to Safely View the Eclipse
The eclipse begins as a partial eclipse while the moon begins its transit of the sun. It will take the moon roughly an hour and a half to completely cover the sun. During this time you will need solar eclipse glasses. Viewing the partial eclipse without appropriate eye protection will damage your eyes.
Free Glasses at Our Stores!
We’re giving away free solar eclipse viewing glasses at select locations! The glasses conform to and meet the transmission requirements of ISO 12312-2, the international safety standard for direct viewing of the sun. When you wear these, the only thing you will be able to see is the sun—everything else will be pitch black.
The glasses protect your eyes during the partial eclipse when the sun is still visible. During the total eclipse, the moon will completely block the sun. At this point, you will see absolutely nothing through your glasses. You can then remove your glasses and safely view the total eclipse. Although the surface of the sun is completely blocked, the sun’s atmosphere is not blocked, and you will see a brilliant ring of light around the moon. When the surface of the sun reappears, you’ll need to put your glasses back on.
Pickup Your FREE Glasses at These Locations*
| Cool Springs | Nolensville Rd | Hermitage |
| 100 Oaks Mall | Rivergate | Murfreesboro |
| Gallatin | Clarksville | Columbia |
| Spring Hill | Cookeville | Tullahoma |
*While supplies last
When Is the Eclipse?
The solar eclipse will occur on Monday, August 21, 2017 in the early afternoon, but the exact timing depends on your location. The partial eclipse will be visible for roughly an hour and a half before and after the moon centers on the sun. The total eclipse can last from mere seconds to nearly 3 minutes depending on your location along its path.
Nashville
Partial eclipse begins: 11:58 AM
Total eclipse begins: 1:27:24 PM
Total eclipse ends: 1:29:25 PM
Partial eclipse ends: 2:54 PM
Clarksville
Total eclipse maximum: 1:26 PM
Cookeville
Total eclipse maximum: 1:30 PM
Cleveland
Total eclipse maximum: 2:33 PM
Where Is the Eclipse Visible?
The entire United States will witness at least a partial eclipse of the sun, but the total eclipse will only be visible along a narrow 70 mile wide path that begins in Oregon and ends in South Carolina. The total eclipse will be visible at the following Electronic Express locations: Clarksville, Rivergate, Gallatin, Hermitage, Nolensville Rd, 100 Oaks, Murfreesboro, Cookeville, and Cleveland.