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The 21 Best Eclipse Moments From Around Charleston

Featured Image Credit: Blake Williams

From Oregon to South Carolina, a historic total solar eclipse awed an entire nation as cities along the path of the eclipse fell into complete darkness for a brief moment on Monday, August 21.

Folks that were within the 70-mile wide path of totality captured the rare and striking celestial phenomenon on camera, as the moon moved between the sun and Earth and completely blocked the solar surface. For a couple of minutes, a dark shadow was cast on our planet.

As the sun re-emerged from behind the moon, it created an astonishing “diamond ring” effect. People from all over came to the Holy City to watch this rare and spectacular event. Here are some of the best moments captured from around Charleston of Monday’s total solar eclipse.

Pretty cloudy day but it was still cool! #eclipse2017

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Lexi + Terran • This wedding blew me away. Not only was it on the day of one of the craziest natural phenomenons I’ve ever seen, it was one of the 5 best wedding I’ve ever shot. I can really only think of one that even comes close to the sheer amount of epic portraits we got from this wedding. • I absolutely cannot wait to blown up everyone’s instagram feed in the next few days. • Massive shoutout to the team at @pinnaclecharleston for bringing this day to life and making it unbelievable! • • • • #eclipse #eclipse2017 #solareclipse #solareclipse2017 #charlestoneclipse #charleston #sony #a7rii #profoto #wedding #weddings #weddingday #weddingdress #weddingplanner #instawedding #engagement #travel #resourcemag #resourceweddings #engaged #weddingphotography #instagood #instalike #kiss #love #landscape #sunset #bride #charlestonwedding #charlestonweddingphotographer

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Image Credit: Mic Smith/AP

Image Credit: NASA

It’s a bird ?, it’s a plane ✈️….nope ?➡️? #charlestoneclipse #eclipse2017

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Image Credit: Blake Williams

Guest Columns

Here Is A Roundup Of Local Solar Eclipse Events And Activities

Featured Image Credit: Blake Williams

There is estimated to be 2 million visitors in South Carolina this weekend. NASA has decided to anchor a live stream coverage of the eclipse in Charleston. This eclipse generates some issues but more importantly comes the parties and events!

“There are literally hundreds of events,” said Dou Warner, with the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau. Almost every bar in Charleston is having some kind of drink special, live music, and provided glasses. Here is a list of some other events and ideas of ways to celebrate the eclipse.

The Children Museum is offering programming from 10am-2pm ‘revolving’ around the sun, moon, and earth! A great way to educate your children about the Solar Eclipse.

Charleston Astronomy Meetup public total solar eclipse viewing. This group is meeting up to use solar filtered telescopes to observe the eclipse. Their location being near the Aquarium, they will have a great view over the harbor.

Charleston RiverDogs will be hosting an “Eclipse Game” to watch and learn about the full solar eclipse.

Practice yoga outside on the Mount Pleasant Pier. $5 advance, $8 day of.

Want to try something different for the eclipse? Paint This Town is holding a painting class to paint the eclipse over Charleston. This class is great for first-time painters!

Celebrate the ‘dork side of the moon’ at Charleston Music Hall with Comedy Central National winner, Robert Mac. The host of NASA’s Earth Expedition mini-series, Kasha Patel will also be hosting this event. Family-friendly, comedy, and science-based!

Get out on Shem Creek for the Eclipse with Kayak and SUP tours. Nature Adventures are offering a 3 hours tour from 1-4pm.

The USS Yorktown will be one of the final locations in the United States to view the eclipse. The museum will offer presentations and activities throughout the day.

Take a charter and watch the eclipse from the water with The Reel Deal Charters.

An astronomer from College of Charleston will be at the Middleton Place explaining the cosmos from a science and art standpoint.

Charleston Tea Plantation is holding a TeaClipse party where you can sip American grown tea while enjoying the view. Free admission.

Learn more from our source. 

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solar eclipse

What’s With All This Hype About The 2017 Solar Eclipse? Let Us Tell You…

Featured Image Credit: © 2010 LUKAS GORNISIEWICZ & DAVID MAKEPEACE

Want to see something you’ve probably never seen before? Then turn your eyes to the sky on August 21st to witness a total solar eclipse. Charleston is directly under the path for this extremely rare event, which is probably why hotels have been completely booked up for months and restaurants and bars across the Holy City are making plans for solar eclipse viewing parties.

What even is a total solar eclipse? It’s a rare phenomenon that occurs when the moon completely blocks the sun, making the hidden corona visible and creating a mesmerizing ring-like effect. It will be visible in Charleston between 2:40 and 2:50 p.m., but we suggest that you find a good spot to watch as early as 1 p.m.

HOW can you get the best view of the eclipse?

Before you head out to see the eclipse you have to remember that the sun is still extremely powerful. Too much direct exposure to its rays can permanently damage your eyes. Like a magnifying glass, the lens in your eyes focuses light onto your retinas. Staring at the sun for even a short amount of time could literally burn a hole in your eye. Even ordinary sunglasses can’t protect your eyes from the harmful rays.

But don’t think this will stop you from experiencing the eclipse. Specially filtered eclipse glasses are being distributed all around Charleston in preparation for August 21st. The Charleston County Public Library is handing out free eclipse glasses, and Mount Pleasant’s Vision Center at Seaside Farms is selling them for $1. College of Charleston is offering free and custom-designed eclipse glasses to all students, faculty, and staff. If you don’t want to buy special sunglasses, you can always make a quick and easy pinhole projector.

solar eclipse

Image Credit: Great American Eclipse

It’s essential that you keep your eclipse glasses in good condition. Any scratches will ruin the filters and put your eyes at risk. You should only remove the shades during totality, when the moon is completely blocking the sun. Another friendly reminder is to not look at the sun through any cameras, telescopes, or binoculars as the concentrated rays could cause damage even with protective shades on.

WHERE can you get the best view of the eclipse?

If you want the longest time in the total eclipse, you have to find the center of the moon’s shadow where it will occur for 2 minutes and 30 seconds. This can be found from Center Street on Folly Beach to the northern tip of Pawley’s Island. It will then pass over Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie before heading north of Bulls Bay towards the Atlantic between Awendaw and McClellanville.

If you don’t want to travel too far, Downtown Charleston will get about 1 minute 30 seconds of eclipse time along with West Ashley. According to CNN, The Vendue is going to be a prime location for witnessing the eclipse. North Charleston should get about 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes, and Summerville, Mount Pleasant, Sullivan’s, and IOP will get around 2 minutes. 

We shouldn’t have to tell you that traffic is going to be crazy. Two million people are expected to be traveling to South Carolina for the eclipse, so plan to leave early for whichever eclipse destination you choose. The last total solar eclipse that came near Charleston was way back in 1970, so this is a BIG deal. More total eclipses in the U.S. will follow in 2044, 2045 and 2078.