On Aug. 21, 2017, we will be able to watch a rare and amazing cosmic event for the first time in almost 40 years – the total solar eclipse. But the 40-year gap doesn't tell the whole story. In 2017, the full eclipse, called the “totality," will be visible across 12 states and will be “readily available to people from coast to coast," according to astronomer Jay Pasachoff. Last time that happened was on June 8, 1918, almost 100 years ago.