On April 8th, 2024, a total solar eclipse is occurring across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. While a total solar eclipse itself isn’t rare, they are rarely visible to viewers as they typically occur in remote parts of the world. The last time a total solar eclipse occurred over the U.S. was in 2017 and this cannot be seen again until 2044.
What is a Total Solar Eclipse?
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, completely blocking the Sun. This covers the face of the Sun, obscuring it from view, either partially or totally. This causes the sky to darken due to a shadow being cast on Earth from the moon. Depending on the viewer’s location, some may see the Sun’s outermost atmosphere, also known as the Sun’s corona.
What is the Path of the Eclipse?
The eclipse will begin over the South Pacific Ocean, and then travel through Mexico, the United States, and Canada before exiting the continental North America on the Atlantic Coast of Newfoundland. The eclipse will enter the US in Texas then travel through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and conclude in the US in Maine. After Maine, the eclipse will enter Canada in Southern Ontario and travel to Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton before concluding in Newfoundland. For more information about which cities will see what part of the eclipse and at what time, NASA provides an in-depth chart detailing the best time to see the partial and maximum parts of the eclipse in various cities across the US, as well as the start and end times.
How to Safely View the Eclipse?
Specialized eye protection is required to view the eclipse at any location. Severe eye injury can occur if someone looks at the Sun during the partial phases of the eclipse without the special lenses, even through a camera, binoculars, or telescope. Safe solar viewing lenses are thousands of times darker than regular sunglasses in order to protect against the concentrated solar rays of the eclipse. If glasses are torn or ripped, always replace them before using. Cameras, binoculars, and lenses require a different type of filter than the ones in the glasses and therefore should not be used with the eclipse glasses. The eclipse can only be viewed without any eye protection when the eclipse is in totality, which occurs when no part of the Sun is visible. When viewers see the sun start to reappear, eclipse glasses should be put back on immediately. Finding solar eclipse glasses is easy as many stores such as grocery stores and office supply chains in different areas are now carrying them.
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