Every eclipse enthusiast would’ve started preparing for the Great American Eclipse this year - mark your calendars, it’s on the 21st of August! Seen as an omen of bad luck and misfortune in the ancient times, it was commonly believed that the disappearance of the sun in the skies signalled the downfall of mankind. However, with the development of technology, scientists now understand why and how these occurrences come to be, even accurately predicting the exact moment when it will happen.
The magic of this year’s eclipse is that it will happen in the light of the morning sun - for just a brief moment, the temperature drops, and the twinkling of stars seem to decorate the clear skies. Flowers close up their petals, and animals prepare for another night - all in the span of minutes. Passing through in partial phases over the majority of North America and parts of South America, Western Europe, and Western Africa, we will be covering some of the best stargazing spots across America.
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1. Madras, Oregon
Eclipse totality duration: 2 minutes and 4 seconds
Time: 10:19 a.m. PDT
The location of the Oregon coast makes this place more susceptible to cloudy skies, but head into the city of Madras for better weather and clear skies.
The best part? You may just see the entirety of Mt. Jefferson swallowed by the darkness of the eclipse just before totality hits Madras!
Airbnb rental near Madras, Oregon
Cosy Home
Address: Near Austin Road (see map)
Price: from 79 USD
Number of Guests: 3
2. Casper, Wyoming
Eclipse totality duration: 2 minutes and 26 seconds
Time: 11:42 a.m. MDT
Stretching across fields of uninhabited land, Casper has the best chances for clear skies on the 21st of August. For nature lovers, the Grand Teton National Park is a great place to camp out for the totality - the sudden hush that envelopes your surroundings just before the skies change are spine-chilling, to say the least. If, at any point in time, you find that the skies look too cloudy for your liking, just take a short drive up north or south for highways that tend to be deserted, making it the perfect place for viewing.
Airbnb rental near Casper, Wyoming
Elegant Mansion
Address: Near Goodstein Drive (see map)
Price: from 8000 USD
Number of Guests: 8
3. Sandhills of The Western Nebraska
Eclipse totality duration: 2 minutes and 30 seconds
Time: 11:49 a.m. MDT
According to weather observers, the forecasts for late August reflects that 70% of the days are perfect for the viewing of the eclipse. The dry lands are a popular part of road trip itineraries, and they often stretch further than the naked eye can see. Equipped with plenty of highways and farm roads, you can quickly relocate if you find that it is getting cloudy. With clear skies come the very rare opportunity of chancing upon the Milky Way during the searing summer nights!
Airbnb rental near Sandhills, Western Nebraska
Book Your Stay: Aug 2017 Eclipse-Viewing Ranch Home, Stapleton, NE
4. Carbondale, Illinois
Eclipse totality duration: 2 minutes and 41.6 seconds
Time: 1:20 p.m. CDT
Carbondale is one of the best places to be if you want to soak up the entire totality experience. Geographically located at the centreline, it is one of the few places across the U.S that allows for the sighting of one of the longest solar eclipses.
Airbnb rental near Carbondale, Illinois
Book Your Stay: cabin #3 on 30 acres SIU 1 mile
5. Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Duration of eclipse totality: 2 minutes and 41.2 seconds
Time: 1:24 p.m. CDT
A popular spot for the eclipse viewing, the city centre of Hopkinsville is bustling with astrology lovers! With a wide choice of roads east and west, you can choose to avoid the crowd and spend your day in the wilderness - an apt setting, considering how the eclipse is much like a magical spell casted by Mother Nature, for nature.
Airbnb rental near Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Forest Cabin
Address: Hopkinsville, Kentucky (see map)
Price: from 800 USD
Number of Guests: 6
A once in a lifetime experience
Solar eclipses are rare to come by - what more of total solar eclipses? If you’re journeying to the U.S in 2017, plan for a trip in the midst of August for a chance to be in this monumental event!
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