A total solar eclipse will take place August 21 that will cross the entire country, coast-to-coast, for the first time since 1918. https://youtu.be/XX7AxZhPrqU According to NASA, the total solar eclipse begins near Lincoln City, Oregon, at 10:15 a.m. PDT (1:15 p.m. EDT). Totality ends at 2:48 p.m. EDT near Charleston, South Carolina. The partial eclipse will start earlier and end later, but the total eclipse itself will take about one hour and 40 minutes to cross the country.
During a total eclipse, we have the rare opportunity to look directly at the sun’s vast, striking outer atmosphere, the corona. The corona appears as pearly white rays and streamers, radiating around the lunar disk. Even during an eclipse, it is not safe to look directly at the sun – except for the brief phase of totality, when the moon fully obscures the sun. The only safe way to look directly at the partially eclipsed sun is through a specialized filter. Eclipse glasses are equipped with the proper filters to minimize ultraviolet, visible and infrared light. It’s crucial to know when to take off and replace your glasses to avoid permanently damaging your eyes.
Maryland unfortunately is not in the path of totality, but according to the MD DNR, Maryland will experience a partial eclipse that will obscure "about 80 percent of the sun throughout the state at peak." Exact times may vary within a few minutes depending on location, but these are the estimated times the eclipse will occur over Maryland.

Western Maryland (Garrett County)

First Contact: 1:12 p.m. Mid-Eclipse (peak obscuring of the sun): 2:38 p.m. Last Contact: 3:57 p.m.

Central Maryland (Annapolis, Baltimore)

First Contact: 1:18 p.m. Mid-Eclipse (peak obscuring of the sun): 2:43 p.m. Last Contact: 4:02 p.m.

Coastal Maryland (Assateague, Ocean City)

First Contact: 1:22 p.m. Mid-Eclipse (peak obscuring of the sun): 2:47 p.m. Last Contact: 4:05 p.m. Maryland will experience a partial eclipse that will obscure about 80 percent of the sun at peak. Map courtesy of NASA The Maryland DNR also reports that the both the tides and aquatic species could be affected by this eclipse. Maryland's coastal areas and the Bay will experience a higher than normal perigian spring tide - when the gravitational pull of both the moon and sun are at their strongest due to the alignment with Earth. Biologists have noted during a total or partial solar eclipse that fish react to both the falling air temperatures and decrease of light. Fooled into thinking the sun has set, some species have been observed heading to deeper water. For the duration of the eclipse, nocturnal fish may become more active while daytime fish become less active. Similar impact may be found on other wildlife as well.

Events Around Maryland

  • Assateague State Park will host an exhibit at the Nature Nook to include information and viewing glasses for lending use.
  • The Discovery Center at Deep Creek Lake State Park will be monitoring temperature, bird song, and species shifting. The center will also have viewing glasses on hand.
  • New Germany State Park will have glasses on hand and host a guided discussion.
  • North Point State Park offers visitors a short hike through the Black Marsh Wildlands and stunning views of the eclipse on the shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Preregistration is required by emailing [email protected].
  • Tuckahoe State Park will hold a free solar eclipse party at the ballfield in the Cherry Lane Campground area from 1-3 p.m. The event will include themed crafts, music, snacks, and a limited supply of viewing glasses.