The Cheapest Last-Minute Ways to Catch the Total Solar Eclipse

A total solar eclipse will soon paint a diagonal strip of the United States in complete darkness — and some of the best free and cheap ways to watch it are still available. Following a path from Salem, Ore., to Columbia, S.C., the total solar eclipse on Aug. 21 will be the first one visible from coast to coast in U.S. history. Hundreds of towns, cities and states have planned celebrations and events to commemorate the historic event. And camping sites, Airbnbs and hotels that sit on prime viewing real estate along the path of the eclipse are cashing in — with even some parking spots going for upwards of $100. A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun. That movement creates a shadow that makes portions of the Earth dark — a rare phenomenon. Certain areas are submerged in total darkness during the eclipse, what’s known as the path of totality. In this case, all of North America will be able to see a partial solar eclipse, while parts of more than a dozen states will see totality for about two minutes, depending on the area, as shown on this map. With just a couple weeks left before the eclipse, here are some of the best places to watch the solar eclipse that are still available for last-minute viewers who don’t want to break the bank. Oregon One of the best cheap places to watch the total solar eclipse in Oregon is the small town of Madras, which has spent the last two years preparing for this eclipse. The...
Source: TIME.com: Top Science and Health Stories - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized eclipse onetime space space 2017 Source Type: news