When is the next eclipse? It’s in the USA, and millions of people are going crazy
Why August 21 is one of the most hyped – and most important – Total Solar Eclipses ever
“This eclipse is really beginning to gain traction in the media,” says Aram Kaprielian, International President at TravelQuest, who’s seen over 20 total solar eclipses. He’s right; the US media is gradually going crazy about August’s Total Solar Eclipse, as reported by CBS.
There are very few hotels left within the Path of Totality – but there are thousands of campsites with plenty of spaces.
Ebook: USA Eclipse 2017 Camping & RV Guide: More than 100 festivals, campsites & RV Parks for the Total Solar Eclipse of August 21, 2017
“12 million people across the US will awaken that morning in the Path of Totality, and aside from a 1999 eclipse that went through Europe, this is the highest concentration of people that have ever been touched by totality,” says Kaprielian.
“We calculate that even if 1% of that 12 million finds a passion for eclipse chasing, that will effectively create a much larger audience for eclipse-chasing,” he continues. “I’m not under the illusion that we’re going to add millions more eclipse-chasers for future tours, but I think there will be many thousands more people in the US that will at least know that a solar eclipse occurs in the daytime – a new educated audience
Others agree. “We’ve been surprised by the level of interest in the USA’s eclipse in 2017, from both astronomer and people with a general interest,” says Iain Shiels, Head of Product at Trek America Travel.
Most likely after TSE 2017 a new generation of Americans will chase solar eclipses, just like after TSE 1970.”
So could this mean a new band of eclipse-chasers are about to be created? “Most likely after TSE 2017 a new generation of Americans will chase solar eclipses, just like after the TSE 1970,” says Xavier Jubier, eclipse cartographer whose eclipse maps are the go-to place for anyone planning a trip to see any eclipse anywhere in the world. “However since they have another one in 2024 I’m not completely sure there will be a big surge for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023 as most of those eclipses have some particularities that make them somewhat more difficult to attend.”
“But after 2024 there will definitely be a big change and some new blood as the 1970 eclipse generation will be replaced by the 2017-2024 eclipse generation.”
August 21’s Total Solar Eclipse looks set to create all-new, all-American ‘Generation Eclipse’.
Image credit: Rick Fienberg / TravelQuest International / Wilderness Travel
