Why the US total solar eclipse is so special

Later today, the US will experience the first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse in nearly a century.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and earth and blocks the sun.

For those lucky enough to witness it in America it will be an unique experience, says Affelia Wibisono, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich.

"They will see the sky get darker. It will feel like night-time has come early.

"They might hear the birds singing. Some animals do get a little bit confused about what’s happening.

"But not only that, people might actually see the stars come out during the daytime and if they are very, very lucky the might see some of the planets."

Unfortunately, in the UK only a slight partial eclipse will be visible. Britain will not see a total solar eclipse until September 23, 2090.