LOS ANGELES — For the first time in 99 years, a total eclipse of the sun will span the entire United States crossing from the West Coast to the East Coast on Monday. The event will be turning day into night for just a little more than two minutes.

The phenomenon is basically the moon’s orbit taking it in front of the sun to create the blackout. It will be a fun experience for those who have taken the right precautions to view the event. But the scientific community is going crazy about what this means as far as research is concerned.

What the eclipse means in terms of research will be covered extensively by the Science Channel through its two days of coverage, “Great American Eclipse,” starting on Sunday with a pre-eclipse special.

On the day of darkness, the cable channel will broadcast live from Madras, Ore., the first place in the United States to see the eclipse featuring scientists from the Lowell Observatory. Coverage ends that night with a post-eclipse show hosted by Mike Massimino that will feature the most compelling science information and images from the ground and in the air.

Where you live will determine how much of an eclipse you will see.