Lunar eclipses are pretty amazing, but statistically speaking, they aren't really all that rare. Catching a full solar eclipse, on the other hand? That's hard. The moon blocks our planet's view of the sun about ever year and a half -- but these eclipses can typically only be seen from extremely remote locations. Next year, things will be different. On August 21st 2017, a total solar eclipse will be viewable from 14 US States in North America -- marking the first time Americans have been able to see the phenomenon since 1979. If you're reading this from the USA, that means you're only one year and a short road trip from seeing an exclusive celestial ballet.