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Today's the last day to enter Airbnb's Total Eclipse Giveaway!
THURSDAY // AUGUST 10, 2017
What is it?
According to NASA, on August 21, 2017, North America will see an eclipse of the sun. Anyone lucky enough to fall within the Path of Totality will see a total solar eclipse, where the moon completely covers the sun for approximately two minutes and forty seconds.
The Path of Totality covers the following 14 states: Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. The last time a total eclipse has occurred in the United States was in 1979.
Traffic Hazard Concerns
Freightwaves.com reported that the eclipse may cause potential dangers for all Americans on the road involving distracted drivers and a total eclipse of the road, causing people to pull over on dangerous shoulders.
In fact, the Federal Highway Administration released a fact sheet that says 200 million people, or a little less than ⅔ of the country, live within the Path of Totality. They also advise that August 21 is not the day to schedule work zones and detours. Click here for a list of driving safety tips during the eclipse.
Crowds & Festivals
According to KGW, more than 100 festivals and events will take place in several cities across the country before and after the day of the eclipse. Keep in mind, the eclipse will only last two minutes and forty seconds. That doesn’t stop these towns from throwing some serious parties.
Oregon is the very first state to view the total eclipse. The Oregon SolarFest in Madres is a four-day festival to celebrate. The small town’s 325 hotel rooms and 5,000 campsites have been fully booked for over two years. Oregon’s Willamette University will hold a viewing party with American Astronomical Society scientists who are willing to answer one-on-one questions.
Jefferson, Missouri is holding a three-day festival including pub crawls, fun runs, street parties and BBQs. SolFest 2017 in Nebraska will celebrate with food, drinks and various forms of entertainment.
The Amelia Earhart Airport in Kansas even offers plane rides at their Eclipse Air Fest. First Tennessee Park will boast science demonstrations and performances by the Nashville Symphony. South Carolina, is the last state to view the eclipse, with viewing parties in Charleston museums, and wrapping it up with a DJ beach blowout on the Isle of Palms.
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any more ridiculous, Krispy Kreme is offering a first-time-ever chocolate glazed eclipse-themed donut. This tasty treat is available from August 19 to August 21.
Airbnb Total Solar Eclipse Experience Giveaway
Hurry up and enter before 11:59pm tonight (8/10), for a chance to win the ultimate experience for two in a geodesic dome situated in the Oregon wilderness. The trip includes boarding a private jet to view the eclipse above the clouds.
One day prior to the eclipse, two lucky winners will dwell in a geodesic dome near Smith Rock. The dome will be furnished with several telescopes on the observation deck.
Hosted by Dr. Jedidah Isler, a National Geographic Explorer and international scholar, you will spend dinner under the stars and ask her any questions about outer space. You will also have a chance to meet Babak Tafreshi, a National Geographic photographer and science journalist, who will teach proper skills on photographing the sky.
The next morning, you’ll launch into the sky on a private jet and fly along the Path of Totality, being one of the very first people to view the eclipse of a lifetime.
Enter here: https://www.airbnb.com/night-at/solareclipse
