How to make the most out of the rare solar eclipse on Aug. 21

Millions of people across the United States will get to see a total eclipse of the sun Aug. 21.

And while California is not in the 14-state path for the full solar eclipse, San Luis Obispo County residents will still be able to see it — just not in its totality.

Those interested in tracking the eclipse have a wealth of knowledge to pull from online, and here are a few websites with stunning interactives as well as public activities such as Google’s Megamovie project to help you make the most out of this rare event.

(1) A solar eclipse is coming to America. Here’s what you’ll see where you live.

Vox.com has done most of the heavy lifting for you. Just enter your ZIP code to find when the eclipse will peak in your area and what percentage of the sun will be obstructed.

It also tells users exactly how far (in miles) they would need to travel to see the total eclipse.

(2) Eclipse 101

It goes without saying NASA has a plethora of valuable eclipse-tracking material available online.

One option is the maps that show the direct flight path broken down by state and time the eclipse will occur in each region.

(3) Eclipse Megamovie 2017

Google and UC Berkeley teamed up to create an online simulator that will show the path of the sun over a three-hour period at any location during the time of the eclipse.

Check out the simulation for San Luis Obispo here.

Plus, they’ll be producing a “high definition, time-expanded video of the total solar eclipse” that will be pieced together “from images collected by citizen scientists at various points along the eclipse path.”

(4) What’s in the path of the 2017 eclipse?

The Washington Post created a user-friendly interactive map that travels the path of the solar eclipse.

From the Oregon coast to eastern South Carolina, the map offers interesting information about many cities in the path of totality, including duration of the eclipse in that area, best places to view and other eclipse-related festivities.

(5) Find a viewing party near you

Viewing parties and festivals will be held across the country. Type in the name of your city to find events around you, eclipse conditions and what the “maximum phase” should look like in your area.

In San Luis Obispo County, the Atascadero Library and the Central Coast Astronomical Society will host a viewing of the partial eclipse starting at 9 a.m. There will be a discussion and presentation afterward.

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This story was originally published August 14, 2017 at 9:33 PM with the headline "How to make the most out of the rare solar eclipse on Aug. 21."