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Solar eclipse day is finally here. Here's what you need to know

Paste BN

The solar eclipse everyone has been waiting for is finally here. In just a few hours, the celestial event will begin in Oregon before tracing a 67-mile wide path east across the country before exiting South Carolina. Don't forget to grab those eclipse glasses on your way outside: Staring at the sun for any period of time can permanently damage your eyes. Get ready for this spectacular celestial moment with some of the best content from the Paste BN Network. 

Weather could mar the view of the eclipse in some spots

Most of the nation should see fairly quiet weather along the path of totality, with interior portions of the West — from central Oregon, through Idaho to eastern Wyoming — expected to have the clearest skies. One caveat in those spots: occasional smoky skies from wildfires. And some clouds are possible along the Oregon coast. Southeast Missouri, southern Illinois, western Kentucky and most of Tennessee look to largely luck out with clear skies. A few clouds and scattered showers could obscure the view in portions of Nebraska and Missouri, but a complete washout isn't likely. South Carolina may offer some of the worst viewing weather, especially near the coast, where mostly cloudy skies are in the forecast with the potential for showers and thunderstorms into early afternoon. 

Can't make it to the path of totality? Here's how to watch

If you're not one of the masses headed to Oregon, Idaho, Kentucky, South Carolina or any of the other areas within the "path of totality," there's always TV, online and apps. The Paste BN Network will showcase the eclipse live from several locations along the path of totality, beginning in Newport, Ore., at 9 a.m. ET. Paste BN will also livestream from locations across the entire path of totality from Oregon to South Carolina on Instagram. Follow @USATODAY on Instagram for the eclipse-chase kick off from Newport, Ore., at 10 a.m. PT. Totality begins at 10:15 a.m. local time, 1:15 p.m. ET. From there, reporters in Salem, Ore., Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina will show viewers what totality looks like in their states.

Wireless networks will be overloaded, but you can still stay connected

When big crowds congregate and try to use the wireless networks at the same time — like during the greatest eclipse in U.S. history — traffic jams resulting in online bottlenecks surely follow. AT&T, Verizon and Sprint plan to deploy "Cell on Wheels," mobile trucks for extra network coverage, in locations expected to take the heaviest hits, such as Madras, Ore., and Hopkinsville, Ky. Paste BN's Talking Tech column offers some tips to get around the blockages.

Check out more nationwide coverage at: solareclipse.usatoday.com.

This is a compilation of stories from across Paste BN.

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