Space News: Total Solar Eclipse 2024. On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will occur across North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. A Total Solar Eclipse occurs when the Moon completely blocks the Sun‘s light from reaching Earth.
31 million Americans currently reside inside the path of totality. There will be widespread travel to the path of totality, which stretches from Texas to Maine and includes other states and towns in between, on April 8, 2024, when a historic complete solar eclipse will throw a shadow over portions of the United States.
The duration of totality of total solar eclipse will be up to 4 minutes and 27 seconds, about twice as long as the Great American Eclipse on August 21, 2017.
About 20 million people from Oregon to South Carolina saw the 2017 complete solar eclipse, and many millions more are expected to see the forthcoming Great American Eclipse in 2024. On April 8, 2024, totality will begin in Texas at 1:27 pm CDT and will end in Maine at 3:35 pm EDT in the US.
Astronomers believe that we will be able to witness the Devil Comet with the naked eye during the total solar eclipse.
Time duration of the Totality of the Total Solar Eclipse over the US:
When and which states of the US will be able to witness the totality of the total solar eclipse?
Texas:
At 1:27 PM CDT, the complete solar eclipse first reaches Texas at the international border. It exits Texas at the borders with Oklahoma and Arkansas at 1:49 PM CDT. The moon’s shadow will travel over Texas at an accelerated pace of between 1580 mph to 1850 mph.
Oklahoma:
On April 8, 2024, at 1:44 PM CDT, a complete solar eclipse will pass across Oklahoma, at 1:51 PM CDT, the Moon’s shadow will finally leave the state. The moon’s shadow will travel across Oklahoma at an accelerated pace of around 1745 miles per hour, up from 1680 miles per hour.
Arkansas:
On April 8, 2024, Arkansas will have a complete solar eclipse. The eclipse starts at 1:45 PM CDT and ends at 2:00 PM CDT. The moon’s shadow will accelerate through Arkansas, going from around 1700 miles per hour to roughly 1850 miles per hour.
Missouri:
On April 8, 2024, at 1:53 PM CDT, a total solar eclipse will pass across Missouri; at 2:02 PM CDT, the Moon’s shadow will finally leave the state. The moon’s shadow will travel through Missouri at an accelerated pace of around 1800 miles per hour from 1775 miles per hour.
Kentucky:
On April 8, 2024, at 1:58 p.m. CDT, Kentucky will see a complete solar eclipse. The Moon’s shadow will finally leave the state at 2:01 p.m. CDT. The moon’s shadow will increase from around 1830 miles per hour to roughly 1960 miles per hour when it passes through Kentucky.
Illinois:
On April 8, 2024, Illinois will have a complete solar eclipse. The eclipse starts at 1:58 PM CDT and ends at 2:06 PM CDT. The moon’s shadow will travel over Illinois at an accelerated pace of around 1830 mph to 1975 mph.
Indiana:
On April 8, 2024, at 3:01 PM EDT, a total solar eclipse will pass across Indiana, by 3:12 PM EDT, the Moon’s shadow will finally leave the state. The moon’s shadow will accelerate from around 1700 miles per hour to roughly 1850 miles per hour as it passes through Indiana.
Ohio:
On April 8, 2024, Ohio will have a complete solar eclipse. The eclipse starts at 3:08 PM EDT and ends at 3:19 PM EDT. The moon’s shadow will travel over Ohio at an accelerated pace of around 2290 miles per hour, up from 1995 miles per hour.
Pennsylvania:
At 3:15 PM EDT, the total solar eclipse crosses the Ohio border, and at 3:20 PM EDT, it exits the state at the New York border. The moon’s shadow will accelerate from around 2175 miles per hour to roughly 2340 miles per hour when it passes across Pennsylvania.
New York:
The complete solar eclipse crosses the Ohio border at 3:15 PM EDT and leaves the state at the New York border at 3:20 PM EDT. When the moon crosses Pennsylvania, its shadow will speed up from around 2175 miles per hour to about 2340 miles per hour.
Vermont:
On April 8, 2024, at 3:25 PM EDT, the complete solar eclipse will begin in Vermont and end at 3:31 PM EDT, when the Moon’s shadow will finally leave the Earth. The moon’s shadow will travel from 2550 miles per hour to 2860 miles per hour across Vermont.
Hampshire:
The total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, will start in Vermont at 3:25 PM EDT and terminate at 3:31 PM EDT, when the Moon’s shadow entirely disappears from Earth. Across Vermont, the moon’s shadow will move at speeds between 2550 and 2860 miles per hour.
Maine:
On April 8, 2024, at 3:28 PM EDT, a total solar eclipse will pass across Maine; by 3:35 PM EDT, the Moon’s shadow will finally leave the state. The moon’s shadow will accelerate from around 2690 miles per hour to roughly 3175 miles per hour when it passes across Maine.
Time duration of the Totality of the Total Solar Eclipse 2024 over Canada:
It is anticipated that the solar eclipse will begin at 2:04 PM and persist for around 2.5 hours. It is estimated that the sun will completely eclipse between 3:20 and 3:23 p.m. EDT (Eastern Daylight Time). The greatest place to see the event in Canada will be Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Time duration of the Totality of the Total Solar Eclipse 2024 over Mexico:
The Pacific coast of Mexico will witness totality first in continental North America, weather permitting, at around 11:07 a.m. PDT.
What is a Total Solar Eclipse?
A total solar eclipse is an astronomical event that occurs when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s light from reaching Earth for a brief period of time. Imagine Earth, the Moon, and the Sun lining up perfectly, with the Moon in the middle. During totality, the sky darkens as if it were dusk or dawn, and the Sun’s normally blinding face is replaced by a dark circle.
What is the Totality of the Total Solar Eclipse?
Totality refers to the brief period during a total solar eclipse when the Moon completely covers the bright face of the Sun. It’s the most dramatic phase of the eclipse, where the sky darkens significantly, and observers within the path of totality can witness some unique phenomena.
Darkness descends: The sky darkens as if it were twilight, even though it might be daytime.
Sun’s corona emerges: The Sun’s scorching hot outer atmosphere, the corona, becomes visible. It appears as a faint white halo around the black disc of the Moon.
Temperature dip: A slight dip in temperature can be felt.
Stars become visible: The brightest stars and planets might even be briefly visible.
Unusual sights: Some observers report seeing solar prominences, which are fiery red loops of gas erupting from the Sun’s surface. These are usually hidden by the Sun’s glare.
What are the Safety measures for witnessing the Total Solar Eclipse?
Here’s the key thing to remember for safety during the April 8th, 2024 total solar eclipse: looking directly at the Sun is dangerous except for the brief period of totality.
Here are some safety practices to follow:
Safe viewing with certified filters: Get certified solar eclipse glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. Regular sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for viewing the Sun.
Inspect your eclipse glasses: Before using your solar eclipse glasses, inspect them carefully for any scratches, cracks, or damage. Discard them if they are compromised.
Use during partial phases: Only wear your eclipse glasses during the partial phases of the eclipse, leading up to and after totality.
Know your timing: If you’re within the path of totality, remove your eclipse glasses only during the brief moment when the Moon completely covers the Sun. Be aware of the exact timing for your location.
Never look directly without a filter: Never look directly at the Sun without certified solar eclipse glasses (solar filter), even for a moment. This can cause permanent eye damage.
Supervise children: Always supervise children using solar filters and ensure they understand the safety risks.
Conclusion:
Catch the rare total solar eclipse on April 8th. Witness the Sun’s corona & experience temporary twilight. But remember, only view with certified solar filters or solar eclipse glasses to protect your eyes during all phases except totality. Enjoy safely!