Columbia featured in new eclipse documentary

Columbia is expecting thousands of visitors, as the biggest metro area on the East Coast in the path of totality for the Aug. 21 eclipse. Totality comes in Columbia at 2:41 p.m., lasting about 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

A new documentary on Amazon Prime is looking at Columbia and other cities in that path, asking “Is totality really worth traveling the world to see?”

“Totality: The American Eclipse” takes viewers inside the phenomena of this event as the experts and eclipse chasers who follow this celestial occurrence across the world explain why it has such a profound impact on them and why everyone must see at least one total eclipse in their lifetime.

The documentary explains what is totality and why being in the path of totality is essential to obtaining the full experience. It explores the common myths and misinterpretations in different cultures and shows what happens to animals when the sun suddenly disappears. The film explores the lengths people have gone to ensure they see what they describe as the most “awe-inspiring event in nature” and the necessary preparations they make to eliminate the chances of missing even a second of the sacred 2 minutes of the eclipse.

“Totality” takes you to the key viewing locations across America for the 2017 eclipse as they prepare for the unknown – how many people are really going to come to their city to see this event. Stops include the West Coast to Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Casper, Wyoming, to Saint Joseph and Kansas City, Missouri, and finally Columbia.

The documentary is available now to Amazon Prime subscribers, or may be rented or purchased.

RELATED: Your guide to the eclipse in South Carolina

This story was originally published August 14, 2017 at 10:53 AM with the headline "Columbia featured in new eclipse documentary."