Hi there,
Millions of people in the United States will be able to see a total solar eclipse today, and Vox's climate and science team has been working to answer your questions, give you practical guidance, and engage in our shared awe as we gather for this year's celestial event.
To make the most of today's eclipse, start with this explainer that covers many common questions, including: Why do we have solar eclipses? Why do they occur when and where they do? Why is this year's eclipse so much longer than the last one? And what's the big deal about totality?
We've also covered why people chase solar eclipses — and our Unexplainable podcast talked with a scientist who has chased eclipses across the globe for decades. We've looked at the economic impact of eclipse tourism ("equivalent to having 50 Super Bowls") and whether the moment of totality could disrupt our power grid and cause brownouts or blackouts around the country. And we've investigated the perennial question of whether you can look at the eclipse without special eclipse glasses.
Events like the eclipse are an opportunity for us to let curiosity reign. Our goal, as always, is to help you understand the event and why it matters — and have some fun in the process.
Producing this kind of deeply researched, explanatory journalism takes resources. We rely on support from readers like you to fund our journalism. Advertising and grants cover some of our costs, but we count on contributions to make up the rest. If you can, please make a recurring contribution to Vox today.
