Millions of people along a narrow corridor from Mexico to America and Canada will have a chance to see a total solar eclipse, even as meteorologists warn of cloudy weather in some areas.
The best weather conditions are forecast in Vermont and Maine in America, and New Brunswick and Newfoundland in Canada.
The solar eclipse is expected to draw the largest number ever in North America, due to its densely populated path and the fact that Texas and elsewhere will be in total darkness for more than four minutes in the middle of the day. Almost everyone in North America will be able to see at least a partial eclipse, depending on weather conditions.
"Clouds are one of the most complicated things to forecast. At least it won't snow," National Weather Service meteorologist Alexa Maines said Sunday.
Rain or shine, "this has to do with sharing the experience with other people," said Chris Lomas of England, who came to Dallas, Texas, to watch the eclipse.
During a total eclipse, the Moon will slowly cover the Sun until it completely blocks it. Twilight will be long enough to see the planets, stars and maybe even a comet.
Darkness during the day will last up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds. That's almost twice as long as during the eclipse in the US seven years ago, because the moon is closer to Earth. Another 21 years will pass before another total eclipse at this level.
The eclipse begins in the Pacific and then moves through Mazatlan, Mexico into Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and 12 other states in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and New England, and finally into Canada. The last stop is Newfoundland.
The moon's shadow will travel 40 kilometers across the continent in just one hour and 6.500 minutes.
During an eclipse, except when it is total, special glasses and filters are needed to look at the Sun.
Along the path of the total eclipse - which is about 185 kilometers wide - are several major cities this time, including Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo, New York and Montreal. About 44 million people live within the boundaries of that path, and several hundred million more in an area of 320 kilometers from it.
And when visitors, amateur astronauts and scientists are included in everything, then it is no wonder that hotels are full, flights are sold out, while traffic on the roads is at a standstill.
Along the route are experts from NASA and numerous universities, who will perform experiments and release meteorological balloons. The eclipse will also be monitored by seven astronauts on the International Space Station.
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