The Best Live Streams to Watch the 2017 Total Eclipse
A total solar eclipse will occur on August 21, 2017, and for the first time in nearly a century, the Moon’s unabashed force blocking the Sun will be visible from most of the continental US (although some places will certainly have a better advantage point than others). Warning: do not look directly at it with the naked eye – use eclipse certified goggles or the pinhole method described here instead.
In the United States, the eclipse will move across the country from west to east, with the best view starting around 9:05 p.m. PST in Lincoln Beach, Oregon, according to NASA , and moving southeast throughout the day to end around Charleston. South Carolina, 2:48 pm ET (enter your location here to see what time to look).
But what if you’ve been stuck at work all this time, or is something else holding you inside? Don’t worry, the Internet will support you.
Numerous organizations, including NASA, will be streaming the eclipse live for those of us indoors. Below is a list of some of the major websites and apps you can use to stream this once-in-a-century astronomical object. Just make sure Bonnie Tyler is in line and ready to go.
- Desktop: NASA TV Livestream Megacast (includes video from space, high-altitude balloons and airplanes)
- All platforms: NASA TV YouTube (link will be)
- Desktop: NASA EDGE Telescope Views (Toggle 5 Views)
- Desktop: Eclipse.Stream.Live (aka The Eclipse Ballooning Project, including footage captured by 100 high-altitude balloons from 55 teams of students from all over the country)
- Desktop: Astronomy.com
- Desktop: San Francisco Exploratorium website
- iOS: Total Solar Eclipse app (from San Francisco Exploratorium)
- Android: Total Solar Eclipse app (from San Francisco Exploratorium)
- All Platforms: Live Time & Date (in collaboration with Slooh)
- Virtual Reality: If you have Samsung Gear VR app, Google Daydream VR app, or CNN VR app, you can watch CNN VR live eclipse in VR.
- Desktop: Tennessee Elephant Sanctuary (see how elephants react)