There are some natural phenomena that can evoke the same emotion from a solar eclipse. Around the world, myths and legends developed to explain the rare event that occurs when the moon's shadow blocks the sunlight, causing a temporary period of darkness in the middle of the day. In ancient China, eclipses were believed to signal that the sun was being devoured by a dragon, while in South America, subjects of the Inca Empire believed that it signaled the sun god's wrath against the world.
On April 8, 2024, Canadians, the United States and Mexico will have the opportunity to observe a total solar eclipse for themselves. TIME spoke to experienced solar eclipse travelers for advice, so anyone planning a solar eclipse trip can get the most out of the experience.
What to Consider Before Embarking on a Solar Eclipse Journey
Travel the path of totality
Most places in the path of the eclipse will only be able to experience a partial solar eclipse, where the sun is not completely covered by the moon. Many people think that might be enough, but to truly experience what a solar eclipse is like, you should travel in the path of totality, where the sun is 100% covered. “A partial eclipse is not an eclipse. It really doesn't come close. You have to be in the path of totality to really experience it,” Paul Bryans, project scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, told TIME.
To check if a location is in the line of totality, you can use this card. Places inside the line of totality are shaded in the darkest shade of red.
Learn more: How cities across the United States celebrate the eclipse
Weather situation
Another thing to consider when thinking about where to travel for a solar eclipse is the weather conditions at different locations along the line of totality. You might not get the full experience if it's cloudy outside. When clouds block the sun and moon, eclipse effects are much less dramatic.
One way to avoid this problem is to choose a location along the line of totality with a high chance of sunny weather. For the 2024 eclipse, most of the places with the highest chances of sunny weather are in Mexico. If you prefer to stay in the United States for the duration of the eclipse, many places in Texas should also experience good weather conditions. As a general rule for the 2024 eclipse, the further south you go along the eclipse line, the better your chances of good weather. “When you get to the northern areas, you're much more likely to be disappointed,” said Brian McGee, founder of Astro Trailsa company that organizes solar eclipse tours, told TIME.
Book your accommodation and tickets in advance
All the experts TIME spoke with cautioned about how quickly accommodations and travel tickets are selling out in places where the eclipse will occur. You can expect Airbnb and hotel prices to increase significantly on dates near or during the eclipse. Transportation may also take much longer than usual. Traffic jams caused by tourists flocking to cities to watch the solar eclipse can significantly extend your travel time, so you should plan accordingly. During the 2017 solar eclipse, major traffic jams were recorded in Wyoming And Kentucky. The streets only returned to normal after about nine o'clock after the end of the eclipse.
Whatever you do, make sure you arrive at your destination several hours before the eclipse begins. “It’s going to be crazy on eclipse day. So my advice to people is if they want to travel, whether it's by car or plane, do it early. Don’t leave it until Monday, April 8,” John Gianforte, director of the University of New Hampshire observatory, told TIME.
Learn more: How Animals and Nature React to an Eclipse
What to Consider When Traveling for a Solar Eclipse
Protect your eyes
During the build-up to the solar eclipse, many people like to watch the sun to see the moon slowly covering more and more of it. However, if you wish to observe this partial eclipse period, it is essential to use appropriate eye protection. “The fact that there is an eclipse doesn't make viewing the sun more dangerous, but it does make people want to look at the sun,” says Gianforte.
Ordinary sunglasses do not provide sufficient protection for viewing the eclipse, but the American Astronomical Society has a list from Eclipse eye protection suppliers that meet international safety standards. If you already wear glasses, make sure the sun filter is placed on the outside of your glasses. Likewise, if you are viewing the partial eclipse via a camera, you need to make sure there is a certified solar filter above your camera lens. These filters are designed to protect your camera and eyes from dangerous parts of solar radiation. No matter what lens you view the eclipse through, “the thing closest to the sun should be the filter,” says Gianforte.
During the entirety, remove eye protection
A common misconception about solar eclipses is that you should always keep your sun protection glasses on. However, if you are in the path of totality and the sun is 100% covered by the moon, you can watch the eclipse directly without eye protection. The eclipse veterans TIME spoke with highly recommended removing sun protection from your eyes and camera gear during the period of totality to truly enjoy the experience. “Once totality is created, you should definitely take off your glasses and look directly at the sun,” says Bryans. “If you don’t, you’ll miss many of the most interesting parts.”
However, it is important to remember that for the 2024 eclipse, the period of totality will last a maximum of four and a half minutes. according to NASA. Be sure to check the exact time of totality at the location you are viewing the eclipse from and immediately start using solar filters again just before the totality period ends.
Learn more: These are all the different types of eclipses
Observe your surroundings
One of the most fascinating things to observe during an eclipse is not only the eclipse itself, but also how the environment around you changes. During the period of totality, you may feel the temperature drop about 10°F. Animals like birds, cats and dogs, may start to act differently as they grapple with the confusion of the sun suddenly disappearing in the middle of the day. You may even be able to see brighter stars and planets when you look at the sky after the sun is obscured.
What to Consider After Your Solar Eclipse Trip
Journal about your experience
After the eclipse, you may want to journal about your thoughts and feelings to help you remember the experience and enjoy the beauty of what you just witnessed. Seeing an eclipse can sometimes cause people to feel overwhelmed with emotion, and journaling can be a good way to process these feelings. “It’s one of the most moving natural events you can see,” says Gianforte. “It’s like going to the Grand Canyon or Mount Everest… it’s just hard to explain.” Everyone should, at least once in their life, witness a total solar eclipse. »
Wait until the next day to come back, if possible
Just as you can expect traffic jams on the way out, you should also expect similar delays on the way back. It's a good idea to stay an extra day as it might help you avoid traffic jams on the roads.