Millions of people across North America will soon have the opportunity to witness a rare and special astronomical event: a total solar eclipse. During this time, the Moon will follow an unusually long total eclipse path and completely block the Sun. To help you prepare for this great North American meal, we’ve put together this handy pocket guide.
I was going on a date here and I remember it vividly. Total solar eclipse on February 26, 1979. At the time, I was only eight years old and immature, so I did not realize that a total solar eclipse of this magnitude would not darken my sky for another 45 years.
In fact, the 2024 North American Solar Eclipse is a significant astronomical event, the first total solar eclipse (rather than an annular or partial eclipse) to grace the Canadian province since 1979. Mexico since 1991And the first to sweep the area United States since 2017. For North Americans, Total solar eclipse in 2045And for Canadians Not until 2079.
Thankfully, I and many of you reading this will have the opportunity to witness the next great solar eclipse thanks to a very fortuitous path across the North American continent. Even if you’re not directly inside the path of a total solar eclipse, the narrow band where the moon’s shadow falls on Earth and completely obscures the sun, you should still be able to experience some form of solar eclipse, such as a partial eclipse. The moon covers only part of the sun.
When and where does a solar eclipse occur?
Mark your calendars for Monday, April 8, 2024. On that day, the first land-based observers will experience the beginning of the eclipse in Mazatlan, Mexico, before proceeding northeast across the United States and ultimately ending in Newfoundland, Canada. The width of the volcanic path is 100 to 115 km (62 to 71 miles).
Observers from 15 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces will be directly under Totality’s path, with major cities including San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Montreal ( The path to wholeness is as follows). Toronto and Ottawa are also a short drive away). A whopping 31.6 million people live along the route (12 million in 2017), and another 150 million within 200 miles (322 km). according to To NASA.
The NASA table above provides time periods for specific US locations. As the table shows, it is important to note that the affected areas will experience a partial solar eclipse before and after the total solar eclipse. For example, in Buffalo, the eclipse begins at 2:04 PM ET when the first piece of the moon crosses the sun. The entire two-minute event runs from 3:30 to 3:32 p.m. The entire event will end at 4:32 PM for a total of 148 minutes.
For observers in Canada, flowering begins at:
- Hamilton, Ontario: 3:18 PM ET
- Belleville, Ontario: 3:21 PM ET.
- Montreal, Quebec: 3:26 PM ET
- Fredericton, NB: 4:33 PM NB
- Summerside, PEI: 4:27 PM AT
- Gander, NL: 5:12 p.m. NT
this guide Totality helps you find the exact time based on your location, whether inside or outside the route. Don’t be discouraged, because in fact you can still see the dazzling display in areas off the path. For example, in New York City, about 90% of the sun is blocked. This makes a lot of sense. During the recent “Ring of Fire,” or annular solar eclipse, that swept across North America on October 14, 2023, The partial view was still fantastic and jaw-dropping.; Just seeing a big chew come out of the sun is always enough to give me goosebumps.
What will happen?
Simply put, from our perspective on the Earth’s surface, the Moon will pass in front of the Sun. The path to a total solar eclipse results in the Sun being completely but temporarily obscured. Depending on the exact timing, this event may last more than four minutes, not including the time it takes for the Moon to drift after advancing toward the object.
During totality, the sky will become noticeably darker. It will feel like it is dawn or dusk. Interestingly, observers using special equipment such as solar filters or eclipse glasses should be able to see the Sun’s corona (i.e. the outer atmosphere) along the outer circumference of the darkened disk. This is of course weather permitting, but you will experience a darkening effect regardless of cloud cover.
If you’re lucky, you might even witness a phenomenon called Baily’s Beads. This occurs just before and just after totalization and appears as small, bright dots of light around the edge of the moon. Bailey’s orbs are created by sunlight shining through the valleys and mountains of the rugged lunar terrain. A related effect is the Diamond Ring. It occurs when a bright spot of sunlight shines through a valley at the edge of the Moon against a darkened Sun.
You can also see shadow bands, which are thin, wavy lines of alternating light and dark that can be observed on solid-colored surfaces (including the sides of buildings) just before and just after glazing. Shadow bands are caused by Earth’s atmosphere distorting sunlight when the Moon covers or illuminates the Sun.
Why this solar eclipse is special
As already mentioned, the Great North American Solar Eclipse is famous for its long, serendipitous path across North America, but it is special for more reasons than that.
The eclipse coincides with a period of increased solar activity known as solar maximum (the sun operates in an 11-year cycle). This is good news for sky watchers and scientists alike, because increased solar activity, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections, is resulting in a more vibrant, active, and dynamic corona. Stellar scientists will have the opportunity to study the Sun and its corona during a solar eclipse, as well as phenomena such as geomagnetic storms. NASA Various citizen science projects Associated with eclipses and the sun in general.
In recent years, two spacecraft missions have been sent to study the Sun’s corona: NASA’s Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter, the latter a joint mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA. These missions will provide direct insight into the corona, but the upcoming eclipse will allow comparative analysis with ground-based measurements.
Interestingly, the Moon will appear slightly larger because it is closer to Earth than it was during the 2017 eclipse, extending its stay across the Sun. As NASA Point out, this will prolong the period of totality and darkness; While the 2017 eclipse lasted about 2 minutes and 40 seconds, the total eclipse period for the 2024 eclipse will be more than 4 minutes longer. That is, the closer you are to the center of the path, the longer the totality period will be.
Surprisingly, in the town of Carbondale in southern Illinois, unique locationThis is because it was located directly in the path of total solar eclipse for the 2017 eclipse and will be again for the 2024 eclipse.
Another interesting fact about this solar eclipse: coincides with another celestial event: Appearance of a comet 12P/Ponce-Brooks. Nicknamed the ‘Devil’s Comet’ due to its bifurcated prongs and horn-like appearance, the comet can be seen with a telescope or binoculars around this time. As today’s orbit Called, “Although uncommon, there have been instances where comets have been visible during solar eclipses, where the darkness caused by the eclipse has made the sky look like night during the day.” There is another thing to note. As the sky darkens, you should expect to be able to see stars and planets, namely Jupiter and Venus.
Watch out for serious eye damage
Please, please, do not observe the sun with the naked eye. This can lead to retinal burns. solar retinopathy. The resulting eye lesions are caused “by unprotected eclipse viewing or minimal gazing at the sun,” according to a 2013 report. study published in Ophthalmology case report.
Unfortunately, the retina is not sensitive to pain, creating the illusion that everything is fine and that no damage is occurring. But make no mistake. Damage most certainly occurs when the retina is exposed to the sun’s dangerous ultraviolet (UV) rays. Symptoms such as vision loss, distortion, or color changes may appear several hours later. Temporary or permanent retinal damage can occur within seconds of exposure to sunlight.
How to safely view a solar eclipse
Fortunately, there are many ways to experience the upcoming solar eclipse without looking directly at the sun. you have to look through the sun eclipse glasses (not regular sunglasses), portable solar vieweror pinhole projector. Photographers should also use special solar filters (not eclipse glasses) to prevent telescopes and cameras from bouncing.
As NASA Point outYou add, “A solar eclipse can be viewed directly without proper eye protection only when the Moon completely obscures the Sun’s bright face – during a brief, spectacular period called a total solar eclipse.” “It’s the moment when even a little bit of bright sun appears again,” he added. “After a total solar eclipse, immediately put back on your eclipse glasses or use a portable solar viewer to observe the sun.”
That’s right. If you’re located directly in the path of a total solar eclipse, you’ll want to take off your glasses to experience the sight, including the darkness. But let me be clear: this is a reserved privilege. exclusively For those who experience wholeness; Even the faint light of the sun is enough to potentially damage your eyes.
Let’s hope the weather cooperates when the big moment arrives, but by staying safe and preparing alternative viewing methods, you’ll still be able to enjoy the eclipse regardless of conditions.
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