Total helium eclipse: Millions of Americans prepare for the rare phenomenon

Conversely they count millions to welcome . The rare phenomenon will attract crowds of tourists to a diagonal crossing the US from the south to the northeast of them. On 8 April millions of Americans will be able to observe the total eclipse of the sun, which will become visible from the southern to northeastern US. In Burlington, Vermont state, northeastern part of the country, the sun will be fully covered shortly before 15.30 local time (22.30 Greek time) on 8 April. Many hotels have been recording fullness for months. And the prices of the few remaining rooms, usually ranging to $150 a night, have been launched between $600 and 700 for the day of the most important astronomical event of the year. “I don’t know if we’ll have anything like this again,” Jeff Lowsan, vice president of the local Chamber of Commerce, told the French Agency. According to him, this is an “unbelievable opportunity”, literally falling from heaven for the city of 40,000 inhabitants. Since weather does not spoil the celebration, the phenomenon will allow Burlington to double its population at that time, with visitors arriving by car, by train, even by private jets, Jeff Lowshan assures. About 32 million people live on the route that will follow the total darkness, where the total eclipse of sun will be visible, according to Nasa. Economic impact Preparations for the big day began years ago, stressing at the French Agency Matt Branning, Ohio’s Department of Transportation, another state in the northeastern part, bordering Canada. After the last major eclipse in the US, in 2017, “one of the things we have heard a lot is that it is never too early to start preparing,” he pointed out. However, as it provides, there will inevitably be ‘delays and traffic congestion’. In Cleveland, Ohio City, local authorities expect about 200,000 visitors, having organized a four-day concert, during a “solarfest” or “Solarfest”. The immediate or indirect economic impact of this year’s eclipse could amount to $6 billion, estimates Perryman Group’s economic analysis office. This year, the corridor of the total eclipse extends to about 185 km, larger than 2017. He will start in western Mexico and cross the US before completing his course in eastern Canada. By the way, many schools along this route will close or allow children to comment earlier, from Cleveland to the US to Montreal, Canada. Airlines announced special flights for the eclipse, including the American Delta that will pass along the dark corridor. Seats in the first of these flights were covered within 24 hours, according to the company. ‘Finally different experience’ In the rest of the US, residents will at least be able to see a partial eclipse. But astronomer Jean-Lick Margot, like others, will make this journey to see the total eclipse. “A partial eclipse, even at 99%, constitutes a completely different experience than being on the route of total darkness,” he explains in AFP. When people finally see the eclipse, they are “motivated”, describes the Belgian astronomer, who is currently teaching in Los Angeles and will go for this event to Texas, in the southern part of the US. “This is a phenomenon of such beauty, due to a complete secular agreement,” he stressed. RES information – photos Reuters