For Eclipse Watchers, Carbondale, Illinois, Takes the Cake

There goes the sun: America is getting ready to witness the first total solar eclipse visible from the lower 48 states since 1979—and the first to sweep across the entire country since 1918. 

Over 90 minutes, the eclipse will travel across the US as the moon blocks out the sun in a narrow band stretching from Oregon to the South Carolina coast. 

With mostly clear skies forecast along the eclipse's route—and around 200 million people within a day's drive of a path of totality between 60 and 70 miles wide—massive crowds are expected, along with some serious traffic congestion. What you need to know:

  • Accuweather tracks peak eclipse times across the US, starting at 10:17am PDT on the Oregon coast and finishing at 2:47pm EDT in South Carolina. Carbondale, Ill. will experience totality for the longest of any city, at 2 minutes 40 seconds.
  • The Verge has a handy guide based on zip codes to when the eclipse is happening in your area and how much you will be able to see.

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