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Early Monday afternoon, Aug. 21, the skies will darken across Minnesota as the moon passes in front of the sun. For even the most casual of skygazers, this is a big deal. 


It will be the first coast-to-coast solar eclipse the U.S. has seen since 1918. Intergalactically speaking, we're lucky to be able to see eclipses. We can see them here on Earth only because of the distances that separate Earth, the moon and the sun. 


In a few hundred million years, that distance will change enough that creatures on Earth 

How much will we be able to see from Minnesota?

While Minnesota isn't in the path of the eclipse's totality — which is the moment when the moon fully blots out the light of the sun — for most of the state, between 70 and 90 percent of the sun will be obscured. 


The prime time for viewing in Minnesota will likely last from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. (NASA has made 

 showing the intensity of the eclipse at different times across the U.S. The Washington Post 


But before you make plans to catch this rare event, know that it can be dangerous — even 

 — to look at an eclipse without proper eye protection. 


Here's why, according to the producers of the 

Everything you need to know before the solar eclipse


Need another reason to play it safe? Your body can't tell if your eyes are being burnt in the sun, so you won't realize anything's wrong until well after it happens. And the length of time your retinas are exposed to the light doesn't matter much — even small amounts can damage your eyes. 

Protecting your eyes isn't hard. Many public libraries are 

. But many are also getting bombarded with requests for the glasses, so it's best to plan on bringing your own. 

 of reputable places to buy the inexpensive glasses, too. But beware of inadequate glasses, some of which are being sold online. 

, "the proper lenses should meet what's called 'ISO 12312-2' (sometimes written as 'ISO 12312-2:2015') international safety standards."


You can make your own eye protection, too. Here's our guide on making a 

• Two pieces of stiff white cardboard (in this case, we cut up a donut box)


Cut down into two pieces — a smaller section that you'll hold during the eclipse and a larger one to act as the "screen." 


Then, poke a clean hole with the pin on the smaller piece, which will focus the light. Make sure to keep it as clean as possible.

 Turn away from the sun so the light passes over your shoulder. 


Hold up the cardboard with the pinhole higher up, near your head. Take the "screen" and hold it farther out and below the piece with the pinhole. 


Make sure the pieces are arranged so that the sun passes through the pinhole, then onto the cardboard "screen." (In the GIF below, the flashlight mimics the sun.)

To focus the image, move the cardboard pieces closer or farther away.


If you'd prefer to make a projector out of a cereal box, 


The most fortunate among us will be somewhere along the path of the eclipse's totality Monday. (Sun Country Airlines is even offering a trip from the Twin Cities to Grand Island, Neb. The same-day flight is now 


But you don't need to leave home to catch this eclipse: There are viewing parties across the state, many of which are being held at libraries:


• Hennepin County libraries are hosting 


• St. Paul Public Libraries will host 

, with faculty on hand to answer questions.


If you're not near these events, check with a nearby library, college or state park. And if you'd like us to add your Minnesota eclipse-viewing party to our list, contact me at 

 of the eclipse across the country in two jets. The agency is planning 

, too, as part of the rare opportunity to conduct research during an eclipse. 

"This will be one of the best-observed eclipses to date, and we plan to take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn as much as we can about the sun and its effects on Earth," Steve Clarke, director of NASA's heliophysics division in Washington, said in a statement.


But it's not just for NASA scientists — 

Bees get busier during eclipses, and squirrels can become restless, too. Eclipses are even more intense for cicadas. 

One study found that a population of crickets stopped calling when an eclipse's shadow lowered temperatures a few degrees — they were too cold. 

how eclipses can affect the animal kingdom

Flowers like four-o'clocks and moonflowers open at night when the sun goes away. If the eclipse gets intense enough, they'll close prematurely. 


Same thing happens for plants whose flowers close at night. 

 to see if anything changes when the sun is obscured. 

 during an eclipse, casting some neat shadows. Here's a video from a 2012 annular eclipse:

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This will be the United States' first coast-to-coast solar eclipse since 1918. Plus: Things to know, places to watch and how to keep your eyes safe.

On Aug. 21, for the first time in 99 years, a total solar eclipse will cross the United States. Sally Brummel, planetarium program manager at the Bell Museum of Natural History, joined MPR host Tom Weber to answer listener questions about the phenomena - and how to see it.

How to enjoy the eclipse, and not burn out your eyes

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