5 apps to watch the eclipse on August 21

Your smartphone makes the perfect eclipse tool kit. Here's how.

The total solar eclipse 2017 is fast approaching. August 21 marks the first total solar eclipse in the US in 38 years. The last one occurred on February 26, 1979. On August 21, the moon will cross paths with the sun, causing a total solar eclipse for part of the US. The path of totality spans about 70 miles (113 kilometers), and will pass through 14 states. While people in the US already gearing up for the D-Day, you can also watch the eclipse sitting right at your home.

Your smartphone is the handiest thing you carry everyday. And guess what, it will turn out to be an essential toolkit to watch the eclipse. We have put together a list of five apps – available both on Android and iOS – that will help you plan for and view the solar eclipse.

1. NASA

It goes without saying that NASA is one organization, which is gearing up for August 21 eclipse. While NASA’s website already has a section dedicated to the upcoming eclipse; the app more convenient. The app has a different section containing videos, images, tweets, and news that is updated constantly with the latest information and research piece that the scientists have come up with. Here you will find activities, events, broadcasts, and resources from NASA. Also, on typing appropriate keyword in the search box (in this case eclipse), the NASA app drops down the total number of images, videos, tweets and articles they have on that particular topic. Take a look at the screenshot below.

2. Smithsonian Eclipse 2017

If you’re not near the path of totality, you may still be able to view a partial solar eclipse from your location. But you can also view NASA’s live stream of the total eclipse from your phone with the Smithsonian Eclipse 2017 app. The app is available for both Android and iOS. This app will tell you the percentage of the eclipse you can see from your location, the weather forecast for the afternoon, and it also provides an interactive map showing the path of totality. On this interactive map, you can tap around to drop a pin, and see the event calendar for the eclipse for that location.

3. Eclipse Safari

Eclipse Safari uses your smartphone’s GPS receiver to locate you on Earth. Eclipse Safari’s Interactive Eclipse Map function indicates whether you are on the path of totality. The app offers functions like Countdown Timer, Space.com Eclipse News, Interactive Eclipse Map, Eclipse Simulator that helps simulate the eclipse from your location or any location on the Earth, and a shadow tracker. Some other features that the app provides are live eclipse updates, eclipse viewing guide and of course the eclipse live stream. The app is available for iOS and Android. For iOS the app is available on the Apple App Store. The Android app is available on the Google Play Store. 

4. Solar Eclipse by Redshift

Solar Eclipse by Redshift is available for both Android and iOS users. The app is said to provide a view of the solar eclipse from four different perspectives – a view from the sun, the best location, your current location, and a map view. This simulation can help give you a better idea of what to look for during the solar eclipse. The app also comes with an eclipse calendar that will let you view the past and future eclipses. The app is available for free on Android for a limited period of time, and costs $1.99 (Rs 120 approximately) on iOS.

5. Total Solar Eclipse from Exploratorium

The Exploratorium’s Total Solar Eclipse app provides five live streams of the eclipse – one with commentary from Exploratorium educators and NASA scientists, one hosted by Exploratorium educators in Spanish, two non-narrated telescope views from Oregon and Wyoming, and one with live music from the Kronos Quartet. The app also provides additional information on eclipses and informational videos. The app is available for free on Android and iOS.  

NASA has issued guidelines that suggests that while viewing the eclipse, observers must use eye protection at all times. Partial eclipses can be observed indirectly by projection, in which viewers watch the eclipse on a screen. The entire eclipse will take a total of four hours, four minutes to make its way across the nation.