April 8 Solar Eclipse Visible in 15 US States
Direct Flight Routes for Eclipse Viewing Released
The city of Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada, has declared a state of emergency in preparation for tourists visiting to view the total solar eclipse.
According to the Associated Press and other sources on the 30th (local time), Ontario is expected to witness a total solar eclipse on April 8 for the first time since 1979, during which the moon will completely cover the sun.
Niagara Falls authorities anticipate up to one million tourists coming to see the total solar eclipse and have established preparedness measures for potential issues such as traffic congestion, increased demand for emergency medical services, and mobile network overload.
This total solar eclipse will be visible in parts of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Media outlets including National Geographic have selected Niagara Falls as one of the best locations to view the eclipse.
There is also excitement in some parts of the United States over this rare celestial event.
The American internet media Axios reported that hundreds of festivals will be held in areas along the eclipse path and projected that the eclipse will be visible in 15 U.S. states on the 8th. Cities such as Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, and Buffalo are expected to become suddenly dark as if night has fallen due to the eclipse.
Axios predicted, "Hundreds of festivals celebrating the eclipse will take place across the United States around the 8th, and tourists will flock to areas where the eclipse can be best viewed."
Hundreds of schools located in the eclipse zone, including those in San Antonio, have announced closures for student safety. Some schools have decided to hold shortened classes to avoid the eclipse period, citing concerns about potential traffic accidents caused by the event.
Many schools are also using the eclipse as an opportunity for science education. Schools in Tennessee are conducting science lessons focused on celestial phenomena timed with the eclipse. Some schools are participating in joint science projects with the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF).
Additionally, in regions where the eclipse will occur, protective viewing glasses and various commemorative products are being released. Clothing and jewelry featuring eclipse designs are available, and restaurants are offering eclipse-themed beers and foods. Delta Air Lines in the U.S. has even arranged special flights between Texas and Michigan to allow passengers to view the eclipse from the sky.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expects that on April 4, four days before the total eclipse, the number of flights will peak at over 50,000.
This total solar eclipse is expected to begin on the Pacific coast of Mexico on the 8th, pass through Texas and Oklahoma in the United States, proceed toward Canada, and end over the Atlantic Ocean.
At the time of the total eclipse, the "12P/Pons-Brooks comet," also known as the "Devil Comet," will be observable in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This comet, with a diameter of 30 km?roughly the size of Mount Everest?visits the solar system once every 71 years. It is named after French astronomer Jean Louis Pons and American astronomer William Robert Brooks, who discovered the comet in the 19th century.
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