August 21, 2017: Total Eclipse USA by KaufmanK

The path of totality is about 70 miles wide as it follows a path from coast to coast. All told, within 5 minutes, what will be the duration of totality over the US mainland, from when the umbra first reaches Oregon until when it departs South Carolina?

Media sources have said that the total eclipse will be visible in 12 states, and it is true that the center of the path of totality will go through exactly 12 states, However, the path of totality as a whole will also nick the southwestern corners of two other states. And when I say nick, I mean it. Totality will be just experienced in about three square miles of one such state and less than a square mile of the other state. Name both states.

Totality will be observable within which state for the longest period?

Due to it's irregular borders, which state will the center of totality enter not once, not twice, but three times?

If you are going to be on the road for this eclipse, there are a lot of worse places to be than what Interstate highway, a whopping 250 miles of which lie in the path of totality?

When the eclipse is total, planets and stars can become visible during the day. Of the planets normally visible to the naked eye, which one will appear closest to the sun in the sky during this eclipse 's totality?

Play ball! Sadly, even though this major league team will be in the middle of a homestand, it will be enjoying an off day between visits by the Indians and the Rockies, rather than having the sun blotted out while it plays. Maybe just as well, as the path of totality will cross a scant thousand feet beyond the outfield wall of their home stadium the afternoon of the eclipse. What baseball team is this?

The highest in the sky the sun will be during totality is about 64.4 degrees above the horizon,which can be observed in the southern portion of Land Between the Lakes N.R.A. Ok, Learned Leaguers, here's your chance to redeem yourselves: The southernmost part of this National Recreation Area is in which state?

The path of totality crosses several US National Parks, but it completely covers only two of them. One is Grand Teton. Name the other.

While we're on the subject of National Park Service sites, it would be remiss to overlook this one. Only the northeasternmost part of this National Monument will experience a total eclipse (at about 10:32 Mountain Time), but its namesake will contribute to the light show at the beginning and end of totality. What is this aptly named site?

In the west, the eclipse will be total in the morning, so you will have to look somewhat eastward to see the sun. In the east, totality hits in the afternoon, so you will have to look somewhat to the west. Inbetween, there is a city of over 100,000 population, home to a university that's the largest in its state, where you will be able to face due south (and up) and see the eclipsed sun. Oh, and there's another city further east, also in the path of totality, that is of similar population, is home to the largest university in its state, and has the same name as the first city. What name do these two cities share?

While we're on the subject of college towns, let's finish with a forward look. Another total eclipse is going to cross the US from south to northeast in April of 2024. In the small area that will experience both total eclipses is what town that is home to the Salukis of Southern Illinois University?