The first total solar eclipse in the United States in 99 years will occur Aug. 21 and it promises to be a beaut!  It will also be the first total eclipse in the U.S. this century.

Already the subject of numerous social media posts and websites, this phenomenon has been dubbed the "Great American Eclipse" because of its rarity, and the fact its path will take it across 14 states in the continental United States where tens of millions can view it.

Like Us on Facebook

The eclipse will be visible completely in some states and partially in others. The full eclipse is visible only within a 60 to 100 mile radius of the umbra, however.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the sun and blocks the latter's view from the Earth. Because of this, the Sun's disc is completely covered by the Moon.

Scientists said the eclipse's shadow (or the umbral cone) will touch down in the north Pacific Ocean at 16:48:33 UT, and will make landfall in Newport, Oregon at 17:15:50.6 UT (10:15 a.m.). Newport is expected to experience 1 minute and 50 seconds of totality. Salem, the state capital, will experience various durations of totality.

The umbral cone will wend its way eastwards through Oregon and reach the next state on its path, Idaho. The Idaho cities of Stanley and Mackay will be the first to fall under the umbra while Idaho Falls will bask in the umbra for 1 minute 49 seconds at 11:33 a.m.

From Idaho, the Great American Eclipse will enshroud parts of Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

The total eclipse will touch down in its final American state, South Carolina, at 2:36:02 p.m. All in all, the sun will be blocked across the United States for about an hour and a half by the moon.

The next solar eclipse in the U.S. is set to occur in 2024.