Celebrate all weekend in the Total
Eclipse Capital of the East Coast
August 18-21, 2017
What Will Happen During “Total Eclipse Weekend Columbia, S.C.?”
During the highly anticipated total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017 at 2:41 pm, the greater Columbia, South
Carolina area will experience the longest 100% total eclipse on the East Coast for a metro area, with 2
minutes and 36 seconds of darkness in the middle of the afternoon.
As a result, Columbia, S.C., has been identified by astronomy experts as one of the top places in the
country for the rare and highly desirable experience of viewing the first transcontinental total solar
eclipse in 99 years. Visitors in Columbia, S.C., the “Total Eclipse Capital of the East Coast,” will enjoy a
long weekend of eclipse-related activities, Aug. 18-21, 2017. Details can be found at
www.totaleclipsecolumbiasc.com. Follow on social media at @TotalEclipseCAE.
“Close” is Not Close Enough
“For those who choose to experience this eclipse outside the path, a partial eclipse is all they will
see. Even if the sun is 99.9% eclipsed for these observers, they will not experience the full, jawdropping, knee-buckling, emotionally-overloading, completely overwhelming spectacle that is
totality.” – Dan McGlaun, veteran of twelve total solar eclipses
Why is Columbia, S.C., a Top Destination for Viewing?
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Columbia, S.C., has the longest totality on the East Coast for a metro area, at 2 minutes and 36
seconds. (The longest in the country is 2 min. 41 sec)
Columbia, S.C., is the third largest city in the U.S. on the line of totality.
First transcontinental total solar eclipse in 99 years; the last coast to coast eclipse was in 1918.
First total solar eclipse in the continental US since 1979, visible from only five states in the
Northwest U.S. (38 years ago). There was a total eclipse over Hawaii in 1991.
Projected to be the most viewed total eclipse in history
What Makes a Total Solar Eclipse So Special?
A total solar eclipse occurs when the sun, moon and earth line up so perfectly that the moon blocks the sun,
creating rare and spectacular effects across the sky and throughout the natural environment, including
darkness in the middle of the day and the elusive “corona” effect around the sun, visible only during a 100%
total solar eclipse.
The difference between a partial solar eclipse and a total solar eclipse is monumental:
• Few people will experience a total solar eclipse in their lifetime
• A partial solar eclipse will be visible to the entire continental U.S., but this is very different from
witnessing a total solar eclipse, an unforgettable experience for which people travel globally
• During a total solar eclipse, strange phenomena occur:
o Sudden “twilight” darkness in the middle of the day
o A corona of light circles the sun – this is never visible except during 100% totality
o Temperature drops 5-15 degrees
o “Diamond ring” and other light effects appear around the sun
o 360-degree sunset around the entire horizon; this deepens before darkness
o Nocturnal animals emerge and begin “nighttime” routines
o Stars and bright planets such as Mars, Venus, Mercury & Jupiter become visible
o After eclipse, as light breaks, birds chirp as if it is daybreak
o Note: during a partial eclipse, the sky does not darken like it does during 100% totality.
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Total Eclipse Weekend | Columbia, S.C.
www.TotalEclipseColumbiaSC.com | [email protected] | 803-545-0002 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC 29201 | @TotalEclipseCAE #TotalEclipseCAE #ColumbiaSC #Eclipse2017
Eclipse-Related Events All Weekend
Visitors to Columbia, S.C. will find special events, activities and offerings for the entire long weekend
leading up to and during the eclipse. More events are added weekly on the official campaign website:
http://www.totaleclipsecolumbiasc.com.
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Festivals & Entertainment
o Columbia Fireflies minor league baseball games all weekend and “Total Eclipse of the Park” game
and viewing event during eclipse
o Solar 17 at Lake Murray viewing festival with tents, free water and free eclipse glasses at Lake
Murray dam & lakefront park sites, 25 minutes from downtown Columbia, S.C.
o “Sunblock” Total Eclipse Viewing Party and Eclipse Eve Drive-In Movie Night at Historic Columbia
Speedway in Cayce, S.C.
o The Lexington County Blowfish baseball team is dedicating their entire 2017 season to the eclipse
and will open the Lexington County Baseball Stadium for a free viewing event
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Science & Education
o Free Public Lecture at the University of South Carolina: "Solar Eclipses: the dread and the
fascination" from Sarbani Basu, Solar Physicist and Chair of the Yale Department of Astronomy
o The S.C. State Museum will host ticketed events all weekend, with a NASA exhibition and
appearance by South Carolinian NASA astronaut Charles Duke (one of 12 men to walk on the
moon), Boeing Observatory, planetarium, educational programming and more.
o Astronomy workshops, exhibitions & lectures at University of South Carolina department of
Physics and Astronomy and at USC’s Irvin Department of Rare Books and Special Collections’
Robert B. Ariail collection of historical astronomy
o Eclipse Geocaching Cointrail event at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
o Solar Learning Challenge party for families on Aug. 19 at Richland Library
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Outdoors
o “Shadows and Science in the Wilderness” programs & ranger-led hikes to prime viewing locations
at Congaree National Park, 20 minutes from downtown Columbia, S.C.
o Guided outdoor historical walking tours along the paved, riverside forest trails at the 12,000 Year
History Park in Cayce, S.C., 10 minutes from downtown Columbia, S.C.
o Total eclipse viewing event at Sesquicentennial State Park in Northeast Columbia, S.C.
o Tent camping and eclipse viewing at Siesta Cove Marina & RV Park on Lake Murray
o Weekend and single day eclipse parking and RV parking at the S.C. State Fairgrounds
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Food & Drink
o Lowcountry Boil & Paella Party with live music at City Roots urban sustainable farm
o Super VIP Lunch & Viewing Party with open bar at Motor Supply Co. Bistro in the Vista
o Special “Carolina Blackout” beer release by Benford Brewery
o “The Grape Eclipse” wine, food and jazz party at Mercer Winery in Lexington, S.C.
o Much more to come
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Arts
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“Lasers at the River,” a large-scale public art installation
“Star Wars Musiclipse” space-themed concert by S.C. Philharmonic
Film, music, art & dance events across the region
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Total Eclipse Weekend | Columbia, S.C.
www.TotalEclipseColumbiaSC.com | [email protected] | 803-545-0002 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC 29201 | @TotalEclipseCAE #TotalEclipseCAE #ColumbiaSC #Eclipse2017