Here's where the clearest skies will be during the total solar eclipse
You won’t see something like this again until 2316 — so you better get a good view. On Aug. 21, the solar eclipse's path of totality (in which the moon completely eclipses the sun) will exclusively cross the continental United States. Thanks to NASA, you can check which areas of the country will have the clearest skies on that day.
The locations with the highest likelihood of clear skies are shown in dark blue, while those with the most clouds are shown in white.
The map was developed using satellite observations from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (trying saying that five times fast) sensor on NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites. The map was compiled using data collected on Aug. 21 between 2000 and 2016.
NASA also went ahead and created this map, which combines the likelihood of clear skies with the eclipse path of totality. The largest circles show where the total solar eclipse will occur--the darker the circle, the likelier chance the skies will be clear.
So, according to the maps, where are the best places in the United States to view the solar eclipse?
That would be Salem, Oregon; Idaho Falls, Idaho; and Casper, Wyoming.
Wherever you're located, happy eclipsing! Just remember to wear safety glasses.
Maggie was a Real Time News Intern in Mashable's Los Angeles office. She is originally from the suburbs of Chicago, and she is currently studying journalism at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She previously freelanced for the Chicago Tribune, and enjoys petting dogs and drawing pictures in her spare time.
