On Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse will cross the United States for the first time since 2017 — and, for the last time until 2044.
Large swaths of New England are in what's known as the "path of totality" where the moon completely covers the sun, including parts of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Anticipating an influx of visitors, some hotels are charging 10 times their usual prices. And many districts are canceling school altogether, or letting students out early.
"It makes sense because there will be tens, maybe hundreds of thousands more people there. It's a big deal up there," said Shirley Leung, the Boston Globe business columnist, in an interview with Boston Public Radio Friday.
Here in Massachusetts, locals will experience a 93% eclipse: the sky will start darkening around 2:16 p.m. as the moon begins passing in front of the sun, peak at 3:29 p.m., and clear up at 4:39 p.m.
Leung said she's glad it will be a boon to New England's hospitality sector. But she's unenthusiastic about the partial eclipse in Boston, and she doesn't think her kids are too excited to see the eclipse peak when school lets out.
"All I'm thinking about is, like: 'What will this do to dismissal?'" Leung said.
Many others in Greater Boston are more enthused. Boston Public Radio callers like Dave, who lives in Boston, are making the trip into the path of totality.
"I'm not going to be able to see it again in my lifetime," said Dave, who's traveling to Middlebury, Vermont.
Another caller, Samantha, is already heading up to New Hampshire. After seeing the 2017 eclipse in St. Louis, she knew she needed to see it again.
"We're going to get there early so we don't have to deal with the traffic," she said. "I've been planning this for seven years."
Luckily, the National Weather Service forecasts a clear day for Monday. Eclipse glasses are a must for those who want to view the phenomenon without risking permanent eye damage.
To find information like times and percentages where you live, NASA has an interactive map where you can enter your zip code for to-the-minute details.
