Eclipse tips

One night, when Nadia Abuisnaineh was in 11th grade, Mormon missionaries came knocking. After Abuisnaineh’s sister politely declined their proselytizing, the pair turned to leave—but not before asking, “Do you know that there are auroras outside?” Immediately running out the door of their Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, home, Abuisnaineh witnessed the northern lights for the first time.

Eclipse chasers hope for clear skies, so here’s hoping for a good forecast for Monday, April 8. But if you are the kind of person who likes to plan way ahead, consider coming to the Mountain West in 21 years and four months. Colorado is known for more than 300 days of sunshine, and the August 2045 total eclipse crosses most of the state.

This story was originally published on The Conversation . It appears here under a Creative Commons license.

Even celestial events need a backing track—and the April 8 total solar eclipse is no different. Whether you’re road-tripping down to Hot Springs, Arkansas for Atlas Obscura’s Ecliptic Festival or flying over to Cleveland, Ohio, you’ll undoubtedly need some tunes to get you in the mood.

New England has eclipse fever. Of course there are themed cocktails and viewing parties, but small towns in the path of totality are girding themselves for some apocalypse-level craziness. A Facebook post from the Plainfield, Vt., (pop. 1,236) Department of Emergency Management and Hazard Mitigation warns residents not to attempt to drive on highways or rely on cell phones, because visitors will be “totally unaware that our cell networks can't handle the traffic.” The post also suggested locals prepare for strangers knocking on their doors, looking for help or bathrooms.

If you want to participate in a pretty epic event, know that it's not too late to make a plan to see the rare, total solar eclipse that will cut a path across a good chunk of the U.S. on Monday.

When is the eclipse? Everyone is talking about Monday, April 8, when a total solar eclipse will see the moon’s central shadow create a 115-mile wide path of totality across parts of Mexico, the U.S. and Canada.

A deluge of counterfeit and fake solar eclipse glasses have flooded the market, putting some unsuspecting space enthusiasts in danger just days ahead of the total solar eclipse.

Is it even possible to avoid traffic during a total solar eclipse? The first since 2017 and last until 2033 in North America, about 40 million people live inside the path of totality on April 8—and as many as four million may drive into it on the day.

The Total Solar Eclipse is Monday, April 8. And America is ready! The rare solar event will captivate folks from Texas to New York, with the special ability to see the eclipse from New York City. The rare celestial event is expected to peak around 3:15 p.m. and last until 3:39 p.m., with 90% totality over New York City around 3:25 p.m.. Plan accordingly to put on your eclipse glasses and look to the sky, or head to one of these Monday afternoon celebrations to make the most of solar eclipse day.

Texas is the best place for the total solar eclipse, right? It has a higher chance of clear skies. Whether that holds true or the presumed-to-be-cloudy northeast U.S. and Canada are now back in play is up in the air.

It’s the month we’ve all been waiting for. In just a few days, the total solar eclipse will delight skywatchers along a 100-mile-wide strip of North America, known as the path of totality. This April 8 marvel is expected to draw tens of millions of viewers — especially since the contiguous U.S. won’t see another total solar eclipse until 2044.

Can April 8’s total solar eclipse be explained using emojis? Of course! First came the “Map of Nope” meme to explain the intricacies of the rare celestial event. It proved hugely popular when I shared it on this page. In its wake comes the “Emoji Map” that successfully turns complicated science into a simple visual.

Will your intended observing location on April 8 actually experience a total solar eclipse? If you completely trust the travel industry and the media, you might do. Or you might not.

If you haven’t experienced a total solar eclipse, you haven’t lived.

In gearing up for the 2024 Solar Eclipse, food and beverage related businesses in destinations along its pathway have been creating celebratory drinks to mark this celestial event. These companies are developing beers and drinks to be enjoyed leading up to and around this space phenomenon.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is warning travelers to pack their patience and prepare for potential delays and airport snags if they’re flying during the total solar eclipse next month.

On April 8, a total solar eclipse will blot out the sun for roughly 4,200 miles stretching from Mexico to Canada — a cosmic show that so much of North America won’t see again for about 20 years. Many made their plans to view it well in advance.

April 8 is shaping up to be a busy day for US airlines, as travelers chase the total solar eclipse sweeping across the nation from Texas to Maine—a rare event that won’t be visible from the contiguous US again until 2044.

As Americans prepare to witness the total solar eclipse on April 8, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a warning that the event could impact air travel at airports located in the path of totality.

For generations, visitors to Maine have flocked east to the rocky coastline, with its lobster boats and crashing waves, or west to ski resorts, peaceful lakes and mountains. Few ever set foot in Aroostook County, a remote northern expanse where residents are prone to suspect — not without reason — that no one south of Bangor even knows that they exist.