CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW.COM) The Clarksville area is among best spots for viewing the solar Eclipse of 2017. The total solar eclipse will occur on Aug. 21, 2017, and will be the first in the mainland U.S. in almost four decades. Areas around Clarksville will enjoy the longest duration of the total eclipse, ranging from 2 minutes and 29 seconds in Clarksville to 2 minutes and 40 seconds in Hopkinsville.

5 Star Media, the parent company of ClarksvilleNow.com is among the local businesses that will be promotion around the event, including special viewing glasses and staking out viewing areas. Austin Peay State University is working with NASA to provide a live feed from the University’s observatory to give viewers across the country an opportunity to see the eclipse, though many are expected to come to Clarksville for the experience.  “I’m estimating we will have 200,000 people in Clarksville that day, over and above the regular population,” Dr. Allyn Smith, APSU professor of physics, said. Clarksville is among the relative few towns in the 65-mile-wide path that will experience total eclipse – skies so dark stars will be visible at midday. Related content APSU place to be for solar eclipse