Bill Nye to join Homestead National Monument Junior Rangers for 2017 total solar eclipse

Bill Nye looking up at the sky wearing special solar eclipse viewing glasses. (Credit: The Planetary Science)

Bill Nye the Science Guy will join skywatchers in Nebraska for a center-stage view of the 2017 total solar eclipse on Aug. 21.

Homestead National Monument of America, in Gage County, Nebraska, has planned a three-day solar eclipse festival from Aug. 19 through Aug. 21 — and Nye, who is also CEO of The Planetary Society, will be there on the day of the total solar eclipse to welcome skywatchers and introduce an educational eclipse booklet for kids. The national park is located near the centerline of the path of totality and will experience 2 minutes and 34 seconds of darkness as the moon passes directly in front of the sun.

"We're planning many special programs during the three days, but we are thrilled that Bill Nye is joining us in a partnership to roll out a Junior Ranger Eclipse Explorer booklet and Totality Junior Ranger Badge," Mark Engler, superintendent of Homestead National Monument, said in a statement from The Planetary Society. "Lots of lucky kids are going to complete the educational activity booklet, which features kids and Bill, and be sworn in as new junior rangers right after the eclipse."