{"id":18915,"date":"2017-06-17T22:45:34","date_gmt":"2017-06-17T14:45:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/author-lays-out-all-you-need-to-know-about-augusts-all-american-total-solar-eclipse\/"},"modified":"2017-06-17T22:45:34","modified_gmt":"2017-06-17T14:45:34","slug":"author-lays-out-all-you-need-to-know-about-augusts-all-american-total-solar-eclipse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/author-lays-out-all-you-need-to-know-about-augusts-all-american-total-solar-eclipse\/","title":{"rendered":"Author lays out all you need to know about August\u2019s all-American total solar eclipse"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It\u2019s a gray day at the Black Sun statue in Seattle\u2019s Volunteer Park, but that won\u2019t stop eclipse expert Bryan Brewer from getting ready for a different kind of \u201cblack sun\u201d in August. (GeekWire Photo \/ Chelsey Ballarte)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you\u2019re planning to witness the total solar eclipse on Aug. 21, don\u2019t forget the bubbly.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s one piece of advice from Seattle\u2019s Bryan Brewer, who\u2019s had five encounters with totality in his lifetime and has written extensively about the eclipse experience.<\/p>\n

The latest edition of his book, \u201cEclipse: History. Science. Awe,\u201d is designed to prepare spectators for the upcoming total solar eclipse, which will sweep across the U.S. from Oregon to South Carolina. This will be the first coast-to-coast American solar eclipse in 99 years, and virtually all of North America will see at least a partial eclipse.<\/p>\n

In his book, Brewer tells about how eclipses spurred the creation of Stonehenge and other marvels, why eclipses darken Earth in the middle of the day, and how to get everything you need to see an eclipse yourself.<\/p>\n

How to make the most of the eclipse<\/h4>\n
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NASA\u2019s interactive map of the total solar eclipse.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first step is to take a look at a map of the eclipse path and get to a place where you\u2019ll be able to experience totality.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re outside the path, you will not experience the dramatic effects,\u201d Brewer said. \u201cNinety-eight or 99 percent is not good enough here \u2014 you need to be inside the path to get the full effect.\u201d<\/p>\n

While getting into the path of totality is important, it\u2019s not the only factor to consider. For example, the path crosses the Oregon Coast south of Portland and north of Eugene. That area may seem to be the most convenient viewing area for Seattleites, but it\u2019s far from ideal.<\/p>\n

Brewer said \u201chordes of people\u201d are expected to make the trip, so traffic will be an issue. And there\u2019s always the question about cloudy skies.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe better weather will generally be east of the Cascades,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

One big problem has to do with where to stay. Hotels and campsites are virtually sold out in the vicinity of totality.<\/p>\n

The Cairn outdoors app released an in-depth infographic that shows last-minute camping options across the U.S., complete with average cloud coverage, crowd predictions and totality duration. It doesn\u2019t give information about availability, but it\u2019s recommended for dispersed backpackers and campers looking for non-reservable spots, many of which are available on a first-come, first-served basis.<\/p>\n

Developers also added an in-app feature that shows campers whether their wilderness destination is within the path. Cairn has offline maps and uses crowdsourcing to chart cell coverage for an emergency call or a location update.<\/p>\n