Eyes to the Sky! April’s Total Solar Eclipse Is a Must-See Moment
Eyes to the sky! Why April’s total solar eclipse is must-see moment.
April 8, 2024 will be the last total solar eclipse visible in the contiguous United States for the next twenty years.
An April solar eclipse will bring a fantastic sky spectacle over the homes of tens of millions of Americans — but time is running out to make plans to join them.
Why is this eclipse so noteworthy?
Total solar eclipses are very rare events to begin with, as they only occur every 18 months around the world. Many of them occur over the ocean or very remote parts of the world.
The best eclipse viewing is expected to be in Texas
Weather remains the biggest wildcard when it comes to seeing eclipses. With this eclipse, the general thinking is that the farther south you are the better, due to decreased cloud chances. That means Texas is a natural destination for many eclipse chasers.
Specifically, the Hill Country of Texas – which includes San Antonio – “has the best weather prospects in the U.S.” for eclipse viewing. Also, the eclipse will last longer in Texas than in any other state in the U.S., according to the National Eclipse website.
But anything is possible weatherwise on eclipse day itself: It could be cloudy in Texas and clear in Maine.
April’s eclipse can be viewed from cities, towns, or rural areas
Eclipse experts emphasize that where you go is really a personal preference, whether you want to experience it in a city, small town, or a rural area.
One upside to seeing it in a rural area is that there won’t be tall buildings around to obstruct the view.
A downside to small towns and rural areas is the onslaught of traffic that could overwhelm their road infrastructure.
Astrophysicist Antonella Fruscione, who lives in the Boston area, will be traveling all the way to San Antonio with 18 family and friends – some from as far away as Europe – to see the total eclipse.
What’s important besides weather?
Eclipse chaser Michael Zeiler advises considering two factors in addition to weather: mobility and accessibility.
By mobility, he means ease of travel both before and especially after the eclipse. Before the eclipse, it’s crucial to have alternative road options to evade clouds. After the eclipse, traffic jams can be a real problem, so multiple routes away from the eclipse will be crucial.
By accessibility, he refers to available accommodations. Cities like Dallas would be a good choice as there are a wide variety of places for tourists to stay.
