April's solar eclipse will bring a magical sky spectacle to the homes of tens of millions of Americans, but time is running out to make plans to participate in it.
Travelers will want to find areas of clear skies within its 115-mile-wide total orbit. “There's no point standing anywhere else. You have to be in the zone,” said eclipse tracker David Makepeace, also known as the Eclipse Man. “That’s what makes it special.”
The eclipse's path will cross 13 states from Texas to Maine, and experts say the southern end of the path will have the best chance of viewing it. Texas' typically sunny climate, major cities ready for tourists, and down-the-road location all combine to make it an easy destination for anyone looking to travel. Masu.
But not everyone wants to travel to Texas. There are also other factors to consider when choosing a viewing location, such as traffic conditions, and some experts warn that the eclipse could rival or exceed the eclipse of 2017. There is.
“It's probably the most-watched astronomical event in U.S. history,” said Michael Seiler, a solar eclipse tracker who runs the website Great American Eclipse. Thirty-one million people live on the roads, while millions more are expected to be huddled together in small areas of land, which will be briefly plunged into darkness by the afternoon of April 8.
As the big day approaches, travel agents across the country continue to be busy booking weddings, honeymoons, “buddy moons” and other eclipse-focused events. As of Friday, lodging was still available in several major cities in the eclipse's path, including Dallas, Indianapolis and Cleveland. There was also space in a sample of small towns along the way.
But don't worry. There's still time to decide where to go for the best views. USA TODAY has some ideas for you.
Why is this eclipse so noteworthy?
Dave Clark, who runs National Eclipse.com, said total solar eclipses only occur around the world once every 18 months, making them extremely rare. Many of them occur at sea or in very remote parts of the world.
The trip in April is scheduled to pass through three North American countries: Mexico, the United States, and Canada. “This is a very rare and wonderful opportunity…a once-in-a-lifetime event for most people,” Mr Makepeace said.
In the United States alone, hundreds of cities and small towns in 13 states are located along this route.
And compared to the 2017 total solar eclipse, this one will last longer and have a wider path, occurring over or near many major cities, according to Space.com.
Experts say the total solar eclipse stands out among solar eclipses, far more impressive than the annular solar eclipse that the United States witnessed in October.
This is also your last chance to see a total solar eclipse for a while. According to NASA, the next total solar eclipse in North America will be in 2044.
The best view of the solar eclipse is expected to be in Texas.
Weather remains the biggest wild card when it comes to viewing a solar eclipse. It is generally believed that the farther south you go, the better off you are during this solar eclipse, as there is less chance of clouds forming. That means Texas is a natural destination for many eclipse chasers.
Specifically, the rolling hills of Texas, including San Antonio, offer “some of the best weather in the United States” for viewing the eclipse, Seiler said. The eclipse in Texas will also last longer than in any other U.S. state, according to the National Eclipse website.
However, anything can happen regarding the weather on the day of the eclipse. It could be cloudy in Texas and sunny in Maine, Clark said.
If the clouds are rolling in, prepare to be disappointed. The sky will be quite dark, but that's all you can see. “Those few minutes will feel dark and stormy,” Ms Makepeace said.
April's solar eclipse can be seen from cities, towns and countryside
Eclipse experts stress that it's really a personal preference where you go, whether you want to experience it in a city, a small town, or the countryside.
One of the benefits of being in the countryside is that there are no tall buildings around to block the view, Makepeace said.
The downside to small towns and rural areas is heavy traffic that can overwhelm road infrastructure. For example, Lorain County, west of Cleveland in northeastern Ohio, is asking residents to pack three days' worth of food, fuel and water because of expected traffic congestion.
Antonella Fruscione, an astrophysicist who lives in the Boston area, plans to travel all the way to San Antonio with 18 family and friends, some from as far away as Europe, to see the total solar eclipse. . “It's very close to the center of totality, so there's a good chance there won't be any clouds in April,” Fruscione said.
What is more important than the weather?
Zeiler, a veteran of 11 total solar eclipses on six continents, says that in addition to weather, there are two other factors to look at: mobility and accessibility.
“There is no single 'best' location. It depends on several factors,” Seiler told USA TODAY.
By mobility he means ease of travel before and especially after the eclipse. If you're in your car before the eclipse, “make sure you have a road network that will keep you out of the clouds,” he says. And since traffic congestion becomes a serious problem after a solar eclipse, it is important to have multiple routes away from the solar eclipse.
Accessibility refers to available accommodations. He said a city like Dallas would be a good choice because it has an abundance of places for tourists to stay.