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The story behind the tiny Kansas roadside stop from Bruce Springsteen’s Super Bowl ad

This Super Bowl looked different from years past in many ways, but there were still the star-studded commercials . Ranging from funny to somber, they always strike up conversation outside of the big game. One fourth-quarter car advertisement struck a new chord by tapping rock star Bruce Springsteen, who has long avoided appearing in advertisements . In the ad, Springsteen makes a plea for unity to a politically divided nation — from an understated road stop in Chiefs country.

“There’s a chapel in Kansas, standing on the exact center of the Lower 48,” Springsteen says in a voice-over. “It never closes. All are more than welcome to come meet here, in the middle. It’s no secret the middle has been a hard place to get to lately.”

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Road trip savants might already know that Springsteen is talking about Lebanon, Kan., where the geographic center of the 48 contiguous states is at a park located about four hours west of Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium.

The two-minute Jeep ad, titled “The Middle,” was filmed at the U.S. Center Chapel in Lebanon as well as “in locations across the United States,” according to a Jeep news release about the commercial. The car company says Springsteen was “intimately involved” in the creation of the ad, and that he wrote and produced the advertisement’s score.

The Middle. pic.twitter.com/dbsgWV35i0 — Bruce Springsteen (@springsteen) February 8, 2021

And while not everyone on Twitter agreed with the political tone or use of the Boss in the ad, Kansas’s tourism board spoke out in favor of the advertisement Monday.

“What an impactful commercial that resonated with so many Americans,” Kansas Tourism spokeswoman Colby Sharples-Terry told The Washington Post. “We are always pleased when Kansas is featured in a positive and inspiring manner.”

Sharples-Terry said the state’s tourism division was not involved in the making of the Jeep ad but was made aware of production that took place at the chapel — which is indeed open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The tiny roadside chapel and a nearby road marker that have designated the site since 1941 are erected off Highway 281, on KS-181.

The exact location of the geographic center of the contiguous United States is apparently disputed, however. According to an independent website endorsed by the Kansas tourism board, the exact geographic center is about a half-mile away from the chapel “in the center of a former hog farm.” Kansas Tourism says the site was designated by the town of Lebanon and based upon a U.S. National Geodetic Survey done in 1918, and that the exact-center coordinate “has always been disputed.”

“Call it spiritual or call it Patriotic — whatever the reason — people [are] fascinated by the idea of standing exactly in the center of the country,” the tourism board says on its website.

The chapel holds a guest book and sometimes small gifts left by visitors for those who visit after them. It was previously destroyed in a car crash in 2008, but it was rebuilt and remains a popular stop for thousands of visitors per year, according to Kansas Tourism.

“Our light has always found its way through the darkness,” Springsteen says in the commercial, which fades out with a call for a “ReUnited” States of America. “And there’s hope on the road up ahead.”

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Everything We Know About the World’s Largest ‘Underground City’ Where 1,600 People Work

Posted: March 31, 2024 | Last updated: March 31, 2024

Where Is the SubTropolis Located?

Even if you are a Kansas City local, there’s still a massive chance of never knowing anything about SubTropolis.

The reason for that is simple – the commercial facility is located 150 feet below the ground. According to some claims, it is the world’s largest underground business complex. SubTropolis is housed in a former limestone mine known as Bethany Falls.

A Massive Underground Facility

The fact that operations occur underground is marvelous but it’s not the only incredible piece of information about SubTropolis.

Builders of the mine used the so-called room and pillar method to get limestone out from the ground. As a result, spacious empty chambers remained. Today, SubTropolis has 17-foot -high ceilings and massive 25-foot square pillars that support the entire complex. The entire SubTropolis spans a surface area of 55 million square feet. Even more interestingly, SubTropolis features 10.5 miles worth of fully usable and illuminated roads and a 21-mile-long railroad track.

The Benefits of Underground Business Operations

The secretive nature of SubTropolis has a logical explanation that’s far from a conspiracy. A few properties make the place perfect for the completion of multiple commercial processes.

The underground location allows for the maintenance of a steady temperature, regardless of the external environmental conditions. Year-round, the mine has a temperature of 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

The World’s Strongest Business Facility?

SubTropolis is also being advertised as one of the strongest and most secure business facilities out there.

Limestone is an exceptionally tough material. Its strength comes in the range of 18,000 to 24,000 pounds per square inch. That’s almost six times stronger than concrete, making SubTropolis a super safe location for all kinds of businesses.

Who Operates from SubTropolis?

A number of entities, including a few federal operations are executed from within the SubTropolis premises.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Postal Service both lease space within the complex. The postal service houses its collectible stamp operations there. EPA uses the underground facility for its Region-7 Training and Logistics Center.

Many Other Businesses Have Also Leased SubTropolis Space

Commercial companies have also chosen SubTropolis because it’s ideal for the storage of various types of goods and sensitive machinery.

Pharmaceutical companies, e-commerce businesses, record storage, and even food distribution businesses have chosen SubTropolis as the home of some operations. It’s a well-known fact that Ford was one of the first businesses to move in after the underground commercial venue opened. The space has been used for the storage of old vehicles and for car customization.

Access to Multiple Curated Services

The SubTropolis advantage isn’t just about the stable work conditions created by the underground environment. This facility gives its occupants a few additional important perks.

At SubTropolis, businesses enjoy the assistance of a full-time maintenance crew, a 24/7 security crew, and a modern fire sprinkler system that’s operated by a centralized computer system.

Space Available for Expansion

The current size of SubTropolis is impressive but the underground venue provides opportunities for additional expansion.

At the time being, there are more than 6.2 million square feet of space available for expansion of the leasable area. If this additional resource were ever to be utilized, SubTropolis will never be throned from its position as the largest underground commercial area.

SubTropolis Is Open to the Public

While all of the information available about SubTropolis makes it feel like some kind of incredible top-secret operation, it really isn’t.

Anyone can take a look inside by driving through the underground facility. SubTropolis is accessible from street level and it has multiple entrances that enable public access.

The History of SubTropolis

SubTropolis is the brainchild of the late Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt.

Hunt used his real estate development company to conceptualize and execute the commercial venue underground. Hunt was also the person who trademarked the phrase “World’s Largest Underground Business Complex.”

SubTropolis Often Houses Events and Public Initiatives

Such a massive facility couldn’t just be reserved to business operations. SubTropolis is open to tourists and it even houses public events every once in a while.

The SubTropolis annual Groundhog Run is a charity marathon that has been occurring ever since 1982. The proceeds go to Ability KC and everyone participating can choose between a 5K and a 10K run. A children’s run was recently added to the marathon.

The Home of History and Culture

SubTropolis with its location is especially well-protected from natural disasters. That’s why some of its space is used to house and protect important pieces of American culture.

Underground Vault & Storage is one of the more intriguing SubTropolis tenants. The entity stores hundreds of thousands of original films, soap operas, cartoons, and other pieces of cinematic work underground. Specialized 45-degree refrigerated vaults have been created for the purpose.

Not the Only One of Its Kind

SubTropolis is amazing but it’s not the only underground commercial facility in the US or across the world.

The abandoned mine in Butler, Pennsylvania is an example of a similar underground commercial center. It is currently used by the US Federal Government and Corbis as a secure storage site.

Other Countries Have Their Underground Offices Too

Commercial and even residential venues located underground aren’t unheard of. Several countries have such complexes that benefit from the stable environment and the security of the underground space.

Reso in Montreal is known as The Underground City and it consists of offices, convention centers, shops, and even residential spaces. Reso was created to keep people protected from the harsh Canadian winters. Growing Underground is a farm in London that’s completely housed under the surface. It is set up in a World War II bunker and the farm counts on hydroponics and LED lights to allow the growth of year-round crops.

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UConn Men's Basketball Faces Travel Issues En Route to Final Four in Phoenix

• Author: Tom Dierberger

In this story:

The UConn men's basketball team punched its ticket to the Final Four without much trouble, handily defeating Stetson, Northwestern, San Diego State and Illinois to win the East Region.

Actually traveling to the Final Four in Phoenix, however, posed a challenge for coach Dan Hurley and the Huskies.

CBS Sports' Matt Norlander reported Wednesday the Huskies' original flight to Phoenix was scheduled to leave Wednesday at 6 p.m. ET, but their plane arriving from Kansas City had logistical and mechanical issues that forced a delay.

Per Norlander, the crew flying the plane from Kansas City would be over their FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) hours and can't fly the team to Arizona. UConn would have to wait until 10 a.m. ET on Thursday to fly on that plane.

ESPN's Pete Thamel reported later Wednesday that the Huskies found a solution—a flight expected to leave the East Coast around 11:30 p.m. ET Wednesday. UConn will arrive in Phoenix around 2 a.m. ET Thursday.

Was told that UConn’s men’s team appears to have a solution to its travel woes getting to Arizona. A flight is expected to leave around 11:30 tonight. They’ll get in around 2 a.m. As @MattNorlander noted, there’s been mechanical/crew issues for the Huskies. — Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 4, 2024

While the Huskies waited in limbo for an available flight, the other three Final Four teams—Alabama, Purdue and NC State—already arrived in Phoenix.

UConn, the tournament's No. 1 overall seed, is set to face No. 4 seed Alabama in the national semifinals on Saturday at State Farm Stadium.

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Fans Slam Kendall Jenner for Appearing to Fly Commercial in New Gucci Ad: ‘She Would Never’

Fans are slamming Kendall Jenner ‘s latest Gucci ad, where the supermodel is seen running through an airport with the brand’s luggage to catch a commercial flight. ​

Kendall, 28, and the rest of her famous family are known for only flying on private jets , and she got called out for the hypocrisy.

“This is hilarious because we all know she would never lower herself to commercial flights with ‘normal’ people,” one fan wrote in the comments of the ad posted on Gucci’s Instagram page on Thursday, April 4.

Another follower joked, “Kendall’s first time inside an airport be like…” while one person commented, “She is rich her two sisters have private jets. So, what is she doing in the airport?” One person quipped, “I’ve never seen anyone so happy flying commercial! Maybe I’ll get the bag too!!” Another laughed, “Yeah OK KJ in a real airport and not a private jet. So unreal,” with laughing emojis.

“Going places with Kendall Jenner. Neon accents bring a contemporary edge to legacy pieces from the Gucci Savoy collection in the latest campaign,” Gucci’s caption read. Other followers noticed how the supermodel’s outfit in the ad matched one she wore with ex-boyfriend Bad Bunny in their 2023 Valigeria campaign featuring the design house’s heritage-infused luggage.

“Wow did they really need to separate BB and Kendall campaign?” one fan asked, while another wrote, “It doesn’t have the same vibe without Benito,” referring to the rapper’s real name, Benito Martínez Ocasio. “We can tell this was shot as a couple campaign with Benito,” another user speculated.

Kendall and Bad Bunny, 30, never officially confirmed they were dating , but reportedly split in December 2023 after first being linked in February of that year.

In addition to flying private on her own, Kendall’s sisters Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner each have their own jets.

Deal of the Day

Kylie, 26, purchased her Bombardier Global Express 7500 Jet for $72.8 million in April 2020. She had it painted with pink accents and customized the interior to include neon-pink lighting set a relaxing mood, a big-screen television and “Kylie Air” custom napkins, cups and other accessories.

The lip kit mogul is known for generously loaning out the plane to her siblings, as Khloé Kardashian has shared numerous photos aboard the jets during flights.

Kim, 43, purchased a Gulfstream jet in 2022 for a reported $95 million and went on to add millions more in custom upgrades . She calls her plane “Kim Air,” and it includes a second bathroom, cashmere accents on the seats, headrests, ceiling and overhead baggage compartments. She has a no shoes allowed policy, providing “custom Skims slippers” for passengers.

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Milk from sick dairy cattle in 2 states test positive for bird flu: What to know

Sick dairy cattle in two central U.S. states have tested positive for bird flu , federal officials reported.

As of Monday, the highly contagious pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) had been found in unpasteurized clinical samples of milk from ill cows at two dairy farms in Kansas and one in Texas, plus a swab from a dairy cow in Texas, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in a news release.

The agency said its officials, along with the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state veterinary and public health authorities, were investigating an illness detected primarily in older dairy cows in those states, as well as in New Mexico.

Wild migratory birds are believed to be the source of the infection, the USDA wrote, and viral testing and epidemiologic efforts are continuing this week.

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Farms in Texas, Kansas report finding dead birds on properties

Additional testing took place Friday and over the weekend, the USDA reported, because farms have also reported finding dead wild birds on their properties.

Based on findings from Texas, the agency wrote in the release, the detections appear to have been introduced by wild birds, and the commercial milk supply "remains safe due to both federal animal health requirements and pasteurization."

Bird flu spread to humans is low risk, USDA says

Initial testing by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories has not found changes to the virus that would make it more transmissible to humans, the USDA said, which means the risk to the public contracting the virus remains low for now.

Federal and state agencies said they "are moving quickly" to conduct additional bird flu testing.

"The first detection of HPAI in dairy cattle in Texas and Kansas underscores the importance of adherence to biosecurity measures, vigilance in monitoring for disease, and immediately involving your veterinarian when something seems ‘off,’" American Veterinary Medical Association president Dr. Rena Carlson said. "A complete evaluation, including the collection and submission of laboratory samples and reporting to state animal health officials when appropriate, and in a timely fashion, are incredibly important."

Bird flu in Texas, Kansas affecting older dairy cows

The Texas Animal Health Commission confirmed the flu virus is the Type A H5N1 strain, known for decades to cause outbreaks in birds and to occasionally infect people.

The virus, the state agency said, is affecting older dairy cows in Texas and Kansas, as well as cattle in in New Mexico, causing symptoms including decreased lactation and low appetite.

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What is bird flu? 

Bird flu is a disease caused by a family of flu viruses primarily transmitted among birds.

Avian influenza viruses, according to the CDC and USDA, are classified into two groups: low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) ( often seen in wild birds)  and HPAI, found mostly in domestic poultry. According to the Centers for Disease Control, LPAI viruses cause mild or no disease, and HPAI cause severe disease and high mortality rates in infected birds.

Bird flu has  cost the government roughly $660 million  and in recent times raised the price of eggs and poultry.  At least 58 million birds were slaughtered  last year to limit the spread of the virus.

What are signs of bird flu?

Symptoms of bird flu include:

• Loss of appetite, lethargy.
• Death without prior symptoms.
• Eyelid swelling.
• Twisting of the head and neck.
• Purple discoloration to body parts, including legs.

'No concern' about commercial milk supply safety

"At this stage," the USDA wrote, there is "no concern about the safety of the commercial milk supply or that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health."

Dairies are required to send milk from healthy animals into processing before it can be put on grocery shelves, the agency said, and the milk from the sick animals was being destroyed.

In addition, USDA officials said, pasteurization "has continually proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses," including influenza, in milk.

It's also required for milk entering interstate commerce.

"For the dairies whose herds are exhibiting symptoms, on average about ten percent of each affected herd appears to be impacted, with little to no associated mortality reported among the animals," the USDA wrote in its release. "Milk loss resulting from symptomatic cattle to date is too limited to have a major impact on supply and there should be no impact on the price of milk or other dairy products."

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.

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Kansas agritourism program, kansas agritourism - where tourism meets agriculture.

Agritourism combines traditional agricultural practices with unique experiences for visitors. Kansas agricultural producers realize the benefits of tailoring their operations to tourism. Tourists enjoy visiting Kansas farms, ranches, and wineries as well as participating in the rural lifestyle. These activities provide lifelong memories for tourists and additional revenue for Kansas farmers who host them.

Agritourism attracts tourists who participate in activities on a working farm, ranch, or at a lodge, outfitter, winery, or other agricultural operation. These activities might include outdoor recreation, activities educational experiences, or opportunities to shop, dine or stay in Kansas, all while supporting Kansas agricultural producers. These activities help to sustain the rural way of life and keep more producers on our Kansas lands. 

Agricultural Businesses may not always equate to agritourism operations. To learn more about becoming an agritourism location, take a look at our Kansas Agritourism Manual or contact Kelsey Wendling , agritourism program Manager, to see if your operation is suitable for the program.

Kansas Agritourism Program - Quick Guide

Ready to learn more about the Kansas Agritourism Program? Or maybe you're ready to dive more into the limited liability that the program provides? We're answering all of your questions in this handy document.

Kansas Agritourism Manual

View the digital version of the Agritourism Manual

About Kansas Agritourism

The Kansas Agritourism Promotion Act was signed into law in 2004. The purpose of the act is to promote the growth of the agritourism industry in Kansas.

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Proper planning is the key to starting a successful business. This checklist can serve as a guide for planning.

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Kansas Tourism Triumphs with Four Marketing Awards, Highlighting Excellence in Destination Promotion

Mar 8, 2024

TOPEKA – North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) recently announced that Kansas Tourism received four awards in the 32nd Annual NATJA Awards Competition. The competition honors the best of the best in travel journalism, photography and destination marketing organizations. This recognition underscores Kansas Tourism’s dedication to innovative destination marketing and…

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TOPEKA — To commemorate Kansas Day, Kansas Tourism has released a new video inviting audiences to reclaim their vacation in Kansas. The video kicks off Kansas Tourism’s 2024 marketing campaign that focuses on the true meaning of a vacation and how Kansas is the perfect vacation destination. To watch the video,…

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Governor Kelly Announces $1M Available for Tourism Attraction Development Grants

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Kansas Tourism Announces Marketing Grant Awardees

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Governor Kelly Ceremonially Signs Bill Recognizing Establishment of Lehigh Portland State Park

Jul 17, 2023

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Governor Kelly Announces $30 Million in Tourism Grants

May 11, 2023

TOPEKA –Governor Laura Kelly announced today that $30 million has been awarded to 18 recipients developing and improving tourism sites statewide. Funding was made available through the State Park Revitalization & Investment in Notable Tourism (SPRINT) program launched by the Department of Commerce earlier this year. “A thriving tourism sector…

Kansas Tourism Awards $421,820 in Attraction Development Grants

May 9, 2023

TOPEKA – Kansas Tourism today announced $421,820 in Attraction Development Grants has been awarded to 10 recipients. The funding will be used to develop new tourism attractions or enhance existing sites across the state. Attraction Development Grants assist in the development of travel experiences that will influence visitors’ travel decisions.…

Kansas Tourism Wins National Marketing Awards

Mar 9, 2023

TOPEKA – Kansas Tourism recently was presented two awards from the 31st Annual North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) award competition. The “Kansas Brand Anthem Commercial” took Silver in the Destination Video Category. The “To The Story Campaign” took Bronze in the Creative Marketing Campaign Category. “Kansas Tourism continues to…

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Your last-minute guide to Monday's total solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse will cross North America on Monday , offering millions a rare opportunity to see afternoon skies temporarily darken as the moon blocks the face of the sun.

Tune into NBC News NOW as Lester Holt hosts a two-hour special at 2 p.m. ET Monday from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The eclipse's path fortuitously cuts across Mexico, 15 U.S. states and a small part of eastern Canada. In all other states in the continental U.S., viewers will be treated to a partial solar eclipse, with the moon appearing to take a bite out of the sun and obscuring part of its light.

Here’s everything you need to know about the rare celestial event.

What is a solar eclipse?

Solar eclipses occur when the sun, moon and Earth align. The moon passes between Earth and sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light and casting a shadow on Earth.

A total solar eclipse is when the moon fully obscures the sun, whereas a partial solar eclipse means it blocks just a portion of the sun’s face.

Solar eclipses occur only with the new moon. Because the moon’s orbit around Earth is tilted, the three bodies don’t always line up in a way that creates an eclipse.

“Imagine if the moon’s orbit were in the plane of Earth’s orbit around the sun — if that were the case, then every new moon, you’d have a total solar eclipse and every full moon, you’d have a lunar eclipse,” Neil DeGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, told NBC News. “So, because things don’t always align, it lends to the rarity of the event and the specialness of the event.”

Where and when will the eclipse be visible?

This year’s eclipse will follow a slightly wider path over more populated areas of the continental U.S. than other total solar eclipses have in the recent past.

NASA estimates that 31.6 million people live within what’s known as the path of totality, where the total solar eclipse will be visible. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path, according to the agency.

The path travels through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Tiny parts of Michigan and Tennessee will also be able to witness totality if conditions are clear.

After the eclipse crosses into Canada, it will pass over southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton, at the eastern end of Nova Scotia.

Those outside the path of totality can still take part in the astronomical event by viewing a partial solar eclipse — visible throughout all 48 states of the contiguous U.S. — or a NASA livestream.

The timing, including how long totality lasts, depends on the location, but some spots will see the moon fully cover the sun for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds.

Below is a list of timings for some cities along the path of totality, as  provided by NASA . A number of other resources, including NationalEclipse.com  and  TimeandDate.com , can also help people plan.

• Dallas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:23 p.m. CT and totality at 1:40 p.m.
• Little Rock, Arkansas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:33 p.m. CT and totality at 1:51 p.m.
• Cleveland: Partial eclipse begins at 1:59 p.m. ET and totality at 3:13 p.m.
• Buffalo, New York: Partial eclipse begins at 2:04 p.m. ET and totality at 3:18 p.m.
• Lancaster, New Hampshire: Partial eclipse begins at 2:16 p.m. ET and totality at 3:27 p.m.

How to safely view a solar eclipse

It is never safe to gaze directly at the sun, even when it is partly or mostly covered by the moon. Special eclipse glasses or  pinhole projectors  are required to safely view solar eclipses and prevent eye damage. Failing to take the proper precautions can result in severe eye injury,  according to NASA .

Eclipse glasses are thousands of times darker than normal sunglasses and specially made to enable wearers to look at the sun during these kinds of celestial events.

Sky-watchers should also never view any part of the sun through binoculars, telescopes or camera lenses unless they have specific solar filters attached. Eclipse glasses should not be used with these devices, as they will not provide adequate protection.

However, during the few minutes of totality, when the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to look with the naked eye.

Beware of fake eclipse glasses. On legitimate pairs, the lenses should have a silver appearance on the front and be black on the inside. The manufacturer’s name and address should be clearly labeled, and they should not be torn or punctured. Check, as well, for the ISO logo and the code “IS 12312-2” printed on the inside.

If you don’t have eclipse glasses, you can make a homemade pinhole projector, which lets sunlight in through a small hole, focuses it and projects it onto a piece of paper, wall or other surface to create an image of the sun that is safe to look at. 

All you need is two pieces of white cardboard or plain white paper, aluminum foil and a pin or thumbtack. Cut a 1- to 2-inch square or rectangle out of the center of a piece of white paper or cardboard. Tape aluminum foil over that cut-out shape, then use a pin or thumbtack to poke a tiny hole in the foil.

During the eclipse, place a second piece of white paper or cardboard on the ground as a screen and hold the projector with the foil facing up and your back to the sun. Adjusting how far you hold the projector from the second piece of paper will alter the size of the image on the makeshift screen.

What to look for while viewing the total solar eclipse

For people along the path of totality, there are some fun milestones to keep track of as the total solar eclipse unfolds.

As the eclipse progresses and the sun gets thinner in the sky, it will start to get eerily dark, according to Tyson.

When the last beams of sunlight are about to become obscured, look out for the “diamond ring effect”: The sun’s atmosphere will appear as an illuminated halo, and the last light still visible will look like the diamond of a giant ring.

As the sunlight decreases even further, an effect known as Baily’s beads will be created by the moon’s rugged terrain. Tiny “beads” of light will be visible for only a few seconds around the dark moon, as the last bits of sunlight peer through the moon’s mountains and valleys.

When the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to remove eclipse glasses and look at the total solar eclipse with the naked eye.

Some lucky sky-watchers may even catch a glimpse of a comet .

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks — nicknamed the “ devil comet ” because an eruption last year left it with two distinct trails of gas and ice in the shape of devil horns — is currently visible from the Northern Hemisphere as it swings through the inner solar system.

The comet can be seen in the early evenings by gazing toward the west-northwest horizon. During the eclipse, when skies darken during totality, it may be possible to see the comet near Jupiter, but its visibility will depend on whether it’s in the middle of an outburst and thus brighter than normal.

Most likely, all eyes will be on the alignment of the moon and sun.

“Most people won’t even notice,” Tyson said. “But if you know to look, it’s there.”

When is the next solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse will be in 2026, but it will mostly pass over the Arctic Ocean, with some visibility in Greenland, Iceland, Portugal and northern Spain. In 2027, a total solar eclipse will be visible in Spain and a swath of northern Africa.

The next total solar eclipse visible from North America will be in 2033, but only over Alaska. Then in 2044, a total solar eclipse will cross Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, parts of Canada and Greenland.

The next total solar eclipse to cross the continental U.S. coast-to-coast in will occur in 2045. The path of totality for that eclipse will cut through California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.

Lucas Thompson is a content producer for the NBC News Climate Unit.