Get ready for total solar eclipse in Aug.

A total solar eclipse is coming in August, and most of it will be visible from Yuba-Sutter.

Natalie Darwazeh, founder and director of the Yuba Sutter Night Sky Network, said the event is rare and recommends people wear the proper eye protection to get the full effect and to keep their eyes safe.

Midmorning on Aug. 21, and for less than three minutes, the Earth will cross the shadow of the moon, creating the first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse in about 100 years.

“There’s lots of lunar eclipses, but we don’t see the solar eclipses as frequently, so it’s a pretty rare event,” Darwazeh said. “It’s when the moon passes completely in front of the sun - we’ve had partial eclipses in the past 20 years.”

Darwazeh said using eye protection is critical for safety and to get the full effect of the event. She said solar eclipse glasses can be purchased online or viewers can use a welding mask.

“You will be able to see the corona with all the rays, lines and sun bursts because the bright glare of the sun is covered by the moon,” Darwazeh said.

A corona is an aura of plasma that surrounds the sun and other stars.

“Anywhere with a clear view of the sky you can see the event,” Darwazeh said. “It’s during the day, so you don’t have to worry about light pollution.”

The path of totality takes a diagonal path from Oregon to South Carolina and anywhere within 60-70 miles of the path provides the best viewing opportunity.

“If you’re wanting to book a hotel in Oregon, I suggest people do it quickly because many places are already full,” Darwazeh said.

She said there are other notable and regular celestial activities that are worth seeing this year.

“The Perseid meteor shower is in August, and it’s always one of the best meteor showers that people can see,” Darwazeh said. “It’s Milky Way season now, so people can see the core of the galaxy and some of the summer constellations.

She said the Sagittarius and Scorpius constellations as well as the Summer Triangle are worth seeing.

“Look in the southern sky in the summer – that’s where there’s a lot of interesting things,” Darwazeh said. “If you lay on your back and look up in the sky, you can see so much even with just binoculars.”

She said the Yuba Sutter Night Sky Network will post any activities to its Facebook page.

Yuba Sutter Night Sky Network More eclipse info: