For Bostonians the upcoming total eclipse of the sun will be more like a partial eclipse of the sun — Boston is about 15 hours from closest prime viewing locations in South Carolina.
The solar eclipse will sweep across the United States at 2:43 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 21 from Oregon to Georgia, leaving Bostonians well out of range to see the total eclipse, but a partial eclipse will still be visible as the moon passes in front of the sun.
Don’t even bother trying to book an Airbnb or camp ground along the eclipse line unless you’re willing to shell out a small fortune; rooms and sites have been booked for months.
But for those of stuck in the Northeast on eclipse day, take some consolation in the fact that despite the eclipse hysteria, total solar eclipses really aren’t that rare. Approximately once every 18 months a total solar eclipse is visible from some place on the Earth’s surface. That’s two totalities for every three years.
So while it might be rare to see the total eclipse in the United States, if seeing a total eclipse is your goal, you’ll probably just have to travel a bit to see it next time.
Boston is still ready to party down, though and Lyft is even offering customers up to $10 off between noon and 4 p.m. on eclipse day to celebrate.
“Because this is such a rarity here, Lyft is helping local Bostonians get to those top viewing parties,” a spokeswoman said.
Use promo code BOSTONECLIPSE to get up to $10 off.
Best place to see solar eclipse 2017
There are a few choice locations that will be partying down in honor of the eclipse on Monday, but you’ll have to pick just one, as the eclipse will only last for a brief two minutes and 35 seconds:
– Boston Public Library in Copley Square, 700 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116
– Boston Public Library Adams Street branch, 690 Adams St, Dorchester, MA 02122
– Mattapan Branch of the Boston Public Library, 1350 Blue Hill Avenue, Mattapan, MA 02126
– Chelsea Public Library, 569 Broadway, Chelsea, MA 02150)
– Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210
– Kresge Oval at MIT, 70 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
– Centennial Common at Northeastern University, 30 Leon St, Boston, MA 02115
– The Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center, 1 Observatory Service Rd, Milton, MA 02186
