2017 Eclipse Information for Illinois

August 21, 2017 is when the first total solar eclipse since 1979 (over the mainland United States) will sweep across the country from northwest to southeast. The last time that happened was in 1918, according to a news release from Southern Illinois University.

Carbondale is the closest city and Southern Illinois University Carbondale is the closest campus to the point of the eclipse's greatest duration. The eclipse will begin at 11:53 a.m. and all phases will be complete by 2:47 p.m.

Total eclipse “totality" will be 2 minutes, 38 seconds, 2 seconds short of the greatest duration time a few miles south of Carbondale.