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On August 21, 2017, millions of people across the United States will see a total eclipse of the Sun. South Carolina will be a significant destination for the eclipse because it will be the nearest spot within the path of totality for at least 100 million Americans in the Atlantic Seaboard and Florida.Cell phone service and smartphone Internet are expected to be unavailable inside the path of totality due to the large concentration of people. Cell phone companies will reinforce their network capacity for emergency responders. However, this will not increase capacity for commercial use. Visitors to South Carolina for the eclipse are encouraged to print paper versions of directions, lodging and restaurant reservations, and tickets to local eclipse events they plan to attend.Reputable Vendors of Solar Filters & Viewers, according to the American Astronomical Society and the National Science Foundation.

USC Library Shines Light on Eclipses in Literature

Astronomy text from the Robert Arial collection, image for personal research use only.
Makayla Gay
Astronomy text from the Robert Arial collection, image for personal research use only.

Columbia is preparing for an estimated million visitors to come this month to witness a total solar eclipse, a scientific phenomenon that inspires awe and wonder in those who view it. The world goes dark in daytime as the moon completely covers the sun. Imagine what it must have been like for people in the past who didn’t necessarily understand what was happening. Our understanding of the solar eclipse has changed, says Michael Weisenburg, who oversees the special collection of books at USC's Thomas Cooper Library. Among many USC events surrounding the eclipse, the Thomas Cooper library will display the collection of Robert Ariail, who acquired thousands of rare astronomical texts. South Carolina Public Radio's Laura Hunsberger has more on this story.