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America is getting ready to experience a highly dramatic total solar eclipse.
The moon is set to pass in front of the sun on Monday 8 April, causing an eclipse that will last over four minutes. This will occur within a 115-mile-wide stretch, known as the “zone of totality,” which will travel across North America, beginning at Mexico’s Pacific Coast and ending at Atlantic Canada.
Millions of people live in cities just outside the zone, such as Cincinnati and much of San Antonio, while Boston, New York and Chicago will see a sizeable chunk of the sun blotted out.
Dr. John Mason, a renowned expert on eclipses in the UK, cautions those who plan to watch the event to carefully select their viewing spot.
In an interview on The Independent’s daily travel podcast, the astronomer stated that even when the sun is 99% eclipsed, the remaining 1% still emits a significant amount of light and is incredibly bright.
It is not possible to fully experience all the marvels of totality without achieving a full 100%.
The most unfavorable action is to travel to a location that is not in the area of total coverage and then have to commute inside it, only to discover a massive traffic backup and being unable to enter the coverage area.
Star speaker: In 2017, the highly anticipated total solar eclipse will be attended by renowned astronomer and eclipse expert, Dr. John Mason, in Wyoming.
The most recent total solar eclipse in the United States occurred in 2017. According to Dr. Mason, who is 69 years old, there were many individuals who believed that it would be a complete eclipse in Yellowstone Park, but it was not.
On their arrival to Yellowstone Park that morning, they discovered that the full eclipse would not be visible. As a result, there was a significant delay of camper vans traveling south to reach the area where the full eclipse could be seen.
I anticipate a similar occurrence this time around. In Ohio, cities like Cincinnati and Columbus sit just outside the southern boundary. If everyone in those areas attempts to travel northwest to enter the totality zone, there will likely be significant traffic congestion.
Millions of individuals are predicted to assemble in American cities located in the zone of full coverage, including Indianapolis, Cleveland, and Buffalo. At the same time, large groups of people from Texas, specifically San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas, are expected to travel from their residences on the outskirts of the total eclipse zone to the center line.
There are many uncertainties and it is difficult to predict the amount of people who will travel or the condition of the roads.
The upcoming 8 April 2024 eclipse is creating buzz in the US as it approaches.
Dr. Mason is heading a trip for 100+ individuals who are chasing after the eclipse. They will be staying in San Antonio, Texas as their home base, but on April 8th they will wake up early to make their way towards the Mexican border. They have reserved a ranch for their own private use.
“I’ll be located near the border in Eagle Pass. I’m optimistic that I’ll have favorable weather.”
Before choosing the destination for his eclipse followers, Dr. Mason carefully examines weather data from the past few decades to increase the probability of having clear skies. However, he cautions that the weather statistics should only serve as a reference and not be taken as a definite prediction.
“It is possible that the weather conditions on that day may vary. There could be a chance of cloudy skies in Texas, while it could be clear in the Northeast, specifically Maine. Please keep in mind that this is only an estimate.”
“In the southwest, weather tends to be better, while it gradually deteriorates towards the Northeast.”
However, local weather plays a crucial role. For instance, Cleveland, Ohio, is an ideal location for viewing the eclipse due to its significantly better weather prospects compared to Indianapolis. Even Rochester, located in New York state, boasts highly favorable weather prospects.
Dr. Mason believes that the most captivating location would be Niagara Falls, located on the border of the United States and Canada.
“I could imagine huge numbers of people making their way to Niagara Falls because it’s got its cachet of an amazing view and and the total eclipse as well.”
In 2017, people from France who were eager to see the sun’s eclipse traveled to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
On the day of the eclipse, affordable motel rooms on the Canadian side of the falls are usually priced at a minimum of C$600 (£350) for the previous night, and all tickets for the morning train from Toronto to Niagara are already sold out.
If you are unable to view the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, the next opportunity will be on August 12, 2026. The path of totality will cover northern Spain and the Balearic islands.
Source: independent.co.uk
