While the world is still recovering from the last solar eclipse in March, plans are already being made to prepare for round two on August 21, 2017. So grab your safe solar viewers, a comfy chair and enough beer to last you the night because a demon is about to eat the sun. Again.
TOURISTS GIDDY OVER SUN’S DISSAPEARANCE
One wouldn’t think people get excited about the disappearance of Earth’s lifeforce, but tourism reports suggest otherwise. One small Wyoming town is projecting 20,000 visitors to come out and watch the sun disappearing on August 21, 2017. Seeing as that’s nearly 1/3rd of the town’s population, the locals are quite excited for the incoming profits. Even Native American tribes are promoting the perfect backdrop for the special natural event. Humanity has certainly come a long way from thinking a demon is eating the sun. Even if that is the case now, it’s doubtful anyone would care. Money talks, and it’s no match for a demon.
THE GREAT AMERICAN DEMON ECLIPSE
Some are calling this event the Great American Eclipse. The moon’s shadow will go over Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennesse, Geroge, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Right, because those are the “great” parts of America. Given the nature of these locales, this might be the best tourism ploy America has ever done. This will is the first time anyone stops in Kansas besides getting fuel on the way to Colorado or seeing the world’s biggest Gopher. Regardless of any opinions, you may have of the midwest, that’s the place to be if you want to see this demon eclipse. It will be a magical place filled with astronomy nerds and conspiracy theorists locking arms in harmony amongst the swampy air of the late-summer Midwestern prairie. If you bring enough beer, you might just forget you’re there.
THE PATH OF TOTALITY
If a sun-eating-demon truly is lurking around this solar eclipse, one might find it in the path of totality. The 65-milie-wide zone will offer the best and darkest viewing as the shadow of the moon races over the Earth’s surface at a whopping 2,000 mph. Planets and stars will come out, and the sun’s corona will glow in the perfect circle around the dark side of the moon. Or, the “far-side” of the moon if we want to get technical about it. In the path of totality, the eclipse will be as long as 2 and a half minutes. It will get darker and darker. Suddenly, the temperature will dive down and the wildlife will become nearly silent. Just when it might seem safe, darkness will instantly surround you. Seconds later it will finally be over and you can get the heck out of Kansas.
