North Carolina park to open early for August eclipse

A complete solar eclipse will carry across the U.S. on Aug. 21.

You will have 14 states including the Carolinas that will encounter about two minutes of darkness.

Due to its rarity, astronomers are calling the 2017 occurrence the Great American Eclipse which will cross the U.S. on Aug. 21.

Stargazers can start to observe the event in Oregon at 10: 15 a.m. local time and end in South Carolina at about 2:45.

The only North Carolina state park within the course of the eclipse is Gorges State Park.

Two hours early it will open for folks who need a prime location to see the eclipse at 5 a.m..

Park rangers recommend arriving at the latest by 11 a.m..