1-Year Countdown Begins For The "Great American Eclipse"

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- A once in a lifetime event is just a year away, and the world is taking notice.

Aug. 21, 2017 will be a big deal as the biggest and best solar eclipse in American history arrives.

The total solar eclipse will be visible from coast to coast, according to NASA. It will be the first total eclipse visible only in the USA since the country was founded in 1776.

It will also be the first total solar eclipse to sweep across the entire country in 99 years, NASA says. And not since 1970 has there been an opportunity to see a total solar eclipse in such easily accessible and widespread areas of the nation.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, obscuring the image of the Sun and turning day into night.

This eclipse will pass through 12 states.  The eclipse will start on the West Coast in Oregon and trace a 67-mile wide path east across the country, finally exiting the East Coast in South Carolina. At any given location, the total eclipse will last for around 2 or 3 minutes.

If you aren't located into one of the 12 states, don't worry, everyone will be able to see a partial eclipse.

You won't need special glasses when the eclipse is total, but you will before and after when it the moon only partially blocks the sun.