A total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017. (Photo by: VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty … [+] Images)
Universal Images Group via Getty Images
On April 8, a total solar eclipse will occur across North America—and it will be one of the most amazing natural events about 42 million people could ever hope to witness.
This is big news given that about one in 10,000 people ever get to witness such a thing in their lifetime.
A total solar eclipse is a rare celestial event to occur in any one place. They happen when the moon passes precisely between the sun and the Earth, projecting a moon shadow onto the planet. If you stand under the path of that shadow, all of the sun’s rays will be blocked out for a few minutes, and you’ll experience darkness in the day—even if it’s cloudy.
The path of totality on April 8, 2024.
Michael Zeiler/GreatAmericanEclipse.com
What And Where Is The Path Of Totality
Where can I see the eclipse? The path of totality for April’s total solar eclipse will travel across North America from Mexico to Canada, passing through 13 U.S. states (as well as clipping Tennessee and Michigan). This path of totality will be about 115 miles wide, and for those within it, totality will last for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds.
The experience of a total solar eclipse is one you must be within the path of totality to witness. Those not in the path of totality will only see a partial solar eclipse, which can still be impressive but doesn’t compare to the experience of totality. Those within the path of totality see the same partial phases on either side of the total solar eclipse.
The longest totality for a total solar eclipse is close to centerline of the path of totality. However, you don’t need to be on the centerline—anywhere in the path is fine. Nobody ever remembers exactly how many seconds they witnessed totality for—that it exists at all is the miracle, not for how long it lasts.
What Happens During Totality?
Totality occurs when the moon blocks the final 0.1% of the sun. It gets dark. During totality, you can remove your solar safety glasses and gaze at the sun’s spiky white corona, which becomes visible around the moon’s edges. It’s normally obscured by the sheer brightness of the sun’s surface. It’s an incredible sight. Explosions on the sun’s surface are also visible as pink loops and towers, while at the beginning and end of totality, you’ll see tiny beads of sunlight, called Baily’s beads, peeking through the moon’s valleys. When a few shine together while the corona is visible, it’s called the “diamond ring effect.”
The moon’s shadow only hits the Earth when the line of nodes is pointed toward the Sun.
NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio
What Causes A Total Solar Eclipse
Despite being about 400 times smaller than the sun, our moon is about 400 times closer to Earth. However, for a new moon to block the sun perfectly requires it to be in the right place at the right time. Since its orbit of Earth is slightly tilted with respect to the path of the sun through the sky (the ecliptic), this only happens occasionally. However, when they do align, they can do so precisely.
How Rare Are Total Solar Eclipses?
Solar eclipses are not rare. There are between two and five each year, but most of their paths occur over water. Total solar eclipses are rarer, occurring somewhere in the world about once every 18 months, on average. However, for a total solar eclipse to occur in one specific place is very rare—it’s about once every 366 years. If a total solar eclipse is coming to anywhere within a few hour’s drive of where you live, don’t even think about missing it. The chance may not happen again for several centuries.
One day the moon will be too far away to cause total solar eclipses.
NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio
Will Total Solar Eclipses Last Forever?
Total solar eclipses will not last forever. The moon used to be closer and, in the future, will be too far away to cover the sun. It drifts 3.8 centimeters from Earth each year. In 538 million years, the moon will have moved too far from Earth to cause total solar eclipses. However, don’t worry about when the last total solar eclipse will be—scientists have plotted and mapped them until the year 3,000.
When Is The Next Solar Eclipse In The U.S?
The next total solar eclipse after April 8 in the U.S. will come on March 30, 2033, in Alaska. The next total solar eclipse in the contiguous U.S. will occur on August 22, 2044. There will also be a very long one one lunar year later on August 12, 2045.
A total solar eclipse is a rare spectacular event that everyone should witness at least once in their lifetime. April 8 is an unmissable opportunity for those in North America—so start planning now!
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Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
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