Chicago Sun-Times

APPS APLENTY TO ENHANCE YOUR ECLIPSE EXPERIENCE

THE USA TODAY NETWORK WILL COVER THE ECLIPSE IN FULL FORCE AUG. 21, FROM OREGON THROUGH SOUTH CAROLINA, SO STICK WITH US FOR THE LATEST.

- Jefferson Graham @ jeffersong­raham USA TODAY

LOS ANGELES

What time exactly can I see the total solar eclipse? How’s the weather look formy desired viewing location? We found 30 solar eclipse apps to answer such questions in the Apple iTunes app store and more than 70 in the Google Play store. Most are free.

Most offer the basics — a map showing the exact timing of the partial and total eclipse, a countdown clock, weather informatio­n for the day and science facts about the eclipse and space.

The total eclipse is the first Americans have been able to view from coast to coast since 1918, and it will begin on the coast of Oregon at 10: 15 a. m. PT on Aug. 21. About 90 minutes later, it will have made its way through Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina.

The best of the apps— the Smithsonia­n’s Eclipse 2017 and Eclipse Safari, offer science history and instructio­ns to wear solar glasses during the time of totality, or risk going blind. There are tips for how to make an old- fashioned pinhole projector for viewing as well.

Eclipse Safari will offer the NASA live stream of the Eclipse and a Twitter feed with the latest eclipse- related tweets. Other apps include:

Solar Eclipse glasses ( 99 cents), which is for when the stores have run out of the solar glasses we’re supposed to wear to protect our eyes. ( Buyer beware: You’re taking your chances with this app. Experts recommend you cover your eyes totally during the eclipse, or risk blindness.)

Solar Timer ($ 1.99), which offers app generated voices to “talk” users through the eclipse — counting down to the moment of totality. Total Solar Eclipse ( free), which offers live telescope views from NASA, narration in English and Spanish and musical accompanim­ent by the Kronos Quartet.

 ?? GOOGLE ?? The Google Play store has over 70 solar eclipse apps.
GOOGLE The Google Play store has over 70 solar eclipse apps.

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