The Great American Eclipse — that’s what they’re calling it. The path of totality, meaning the 65- mile wide path that the eclipse will follow on Monday, August 21st, stretches from one coast of the United States to the other. People in this path will have the privilege of witnessing a total solar eclipse, and will be plunged into darkness for as long as 2 minutes and 41 seconds as the moon’s shadow passes in front of our sun, blocking it’s rays. NASA has a wealth of information available on their website to help prepare you for the eclipse.

To celebrate this very unique event, we are offering our best-selling wolf design - ECLIPSE WOLVES - on a variety of home goods and on our classic t-shirt. We’ve got pillows, blankets, tote bags, wall tapestries and shower curtains featuring this beautiful design. You can deck out your entire house while wearing the t-shirt at your Eclipse Party. Which, is a thing, by the way. Why not celebrate in style. Check it all out here and let us know how the party goes!

Even those of us that aren’t within the path of totality will have a chance to view the eclipse in some form. As you can see by the map below, it will be visible to varying degrees throughout the United States. Weather permitting… if it’s a clear day we’re sure to have a great show! If it’s overcast, it may be a little less brilliant. Keeping our fingers crossed for good weather!

Check out this map NASA has provided, showing the path of totality.

So what causes an eclipse? It’s not apocalyptic as some ancient sun-worshiping cultures believed it to be, but it is a spectacular event. We haven’t seen a total solar eclipse pass entirely over the United States since 1918. Thus the moniker “The Great American Eclipse.” However, eclipses are regular celestial occurrences, happening on average every 18 months or so. It’s simply the result of the alignment of our Earth, Moon, and Sun, which causes the shadow of the moon to block out the sun’s rays for a short period as it passes by. In other words, the moon passes between the sun and the Earth on its orbit around our planet, and for a short time, the sun goes dark.

Image courtesy of NASA

If you’re hoping to view the eclipse, make sure to equip yourself with a pair of trusty eclipse-viewing glasses. Looking directly at the sun is ill advised, and though it may seem safe while it’s in shadow, there is still a high risk of injury until the eclipse reaches totality. Seeing as the path of totality, where the total eclipse will be visible, is only 65 miles wide, most of us will not witness it.

So make sure to equip yourselves with proper gear that meets the international safety standards for such products. NASA has a great reference page on their site here, where you can find a list of companies that are selling viewers and solar filters that meet the standards. Better safe than sorry! Of course at this late date you may have some trouble getting them in time… but it’s worth a shot.