Total Solar Eclipse 2024: When And How To Watch And More About Rare Celestial Event

Total Solar Eclipse 2024: A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon completely covers the sun, casting a shadow on Earth and briefly turning day into night. This rare celestial event unfolds as the moon aligns perfectly with the sun, blocking its entire disk. Witnessing a total solar eclipse reveals the sun's corona, a halo of plasma, creating a breathtaking and awe-inspiring celestial spectacle for observers within the eclipse path.

The total solar eclipse on April 8 is expected to be the most significant astronomical event of the year. It will be visible as it moves across North America, passing through Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

Will a Total Solar Eclipse 2024 be visible In India?

Unfortunately, Indians won't be able to see this eclipse, but it's important to note that scientists consider this type of eclipse to be extremely uncommon. Even though it's not visible in India, there's excitement in the scientific community about this rare celestial occurrence.

Total Solar Eclipse 2024: When and where to watch?

Total Solar Eclipse | Photo: BCCL/Representational Image

NASA predicts that a special event called a total eclipse is set to occur over the South Pacific Ocean. If you are in the right spot, you'll get to see the sun completely covered by the moon's shadow. The total eclipse will last for about three to four minutes for those lucky enough to be directly in its path.

This cosmic spectacle kicks off around 11:07 a.m. PDT along the Pacific coast of Mexico, making it the first place in continental North America to witness totality, as stated by NASA. Later, at 1:27 p.m. CDT in the United States, Texas will join the historic moment as the moon's shadow travels northeast.

The eclipse's journey continues through states like Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire, cutting diagonally across the country. The eclipse is expected to reach Maine at 3:35 p.m. EDT in the United States before moving into the Maritime Provinces of Canada.

Here's an interesting tidbit: The Great American Eclipse predicts that the longest duration of this celestial event will be an impressive 4 minutes and 27 seconds near Torreon, Mexico ¨C that's almost twice as long as the 2017 eclipse.

So, keep an eye on the sky for this fantastic show of nature, and consider yourself lucky if you're in the right place at the right time!

Why total Eclipse 2024 is rare?

Roughly every 18 months, we get to witness a special event in the sky ¨C a total solar eclipse. This happens when the moon moves between the sun and Earth, blocking out the sun's light for a short period. Picture this: it's like the moon momentarily playing hide-and-seek with the sun.

Now, given that more than 70% of our planet is covered by oceans, finding a good spot on land to watch this eclipse is quite a task. Imagine searching for the perfect spot to view this celestial spectacle! Living close to where a solar eclipse happens is even rarer, making it unnecessary to embark on long journeys, maybe even crossing continents.

According to NASA, waiting for two total eclipses to occur in the same spot takes an average of about 375 years. That's a long time! Sometimes, though, the gap between these occurrences can be even wider. So, catching a solar eclipse in your backyard is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Total Solar Eclipse 2024: How to watch Rare Celestial Event?

People watch the solar eclipse on the lawn of Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, California, U.S., August 21, 2017 | Photo: Reuters

The most important thing to remember when watching a total solar eclipse is to ensure your safety. It's crucial to be aware of when you should wear special eye protection specifically designed for looking at the sun. It's unsafe to gaze directly at the sun without this protection, except for the short total phase of a total solar eclipse when the moon completely covers the sun.

If you use a telescope, binoculars, or a camera to observe any part of the bright sun without a special solar filter attached to the front, it can cause serious damage to your eyes quickly. Before and after the total phase, always use safe solar viewing glasses, also known as 'eclipse glasses,' or a secure hand-held solar viewer to directly see the partial phases of the eclipse with your eyes. Another safe option is to use an indirect viewing method, like a pinhole projector.

Remember, protecting your eyes is the key to enjoying the spectacle of a total solar eclipse safely.

8 places witness the April Solar Eclipse

Mazatl¨¢n, Sinaloa, Mexico:

Mazatl¨¢n is by the ocean and a good place to see the eclipse. It's close to where the eclipse starts, so you'll see it really well.

Nazas, Durango, Mexico:

This small town will have a lot of people visiting because it's close to where the eclipse will last the longest. Even though it's a small town, it's a great spot to see the whole eclipse.

Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico:

This city is across from Eagle Pass, Texas, and it's a lively place. Because it's close to the US, it's good for people who want to see the eclipse in a busy city.

Radar Base, Texas:

This town is on the border with Mexico and is getting ready for lots of people who want to see the eclipse. Even though it's small, it's a great place to see the eclipse from.

Indianapolis, Indiana:

This city has lots of places to stay and things to do. It's a popular place for people who want to see the eclipse because of its cool downtown and many attractions.

Niagara Falls, New York:

The falls make a beautiful background for watching the eclipse. Many people are booking rooms there because they want to see the eclipse against the famous waterfalls.

Ontario, Canada:

There are many places near Niagara Falls where you can see the eclipse, like parks and gardens. They're getting ready for lots of visitors.

Montreal, Quebec, Canada:

Montreal has some great spots to see the eclipse, like the Science Centre and parks. McGill University will also have a party with activities and learning about the eclipse. Mount Royal Park is another good place to see it from.

Types of Solar Eclipses

Total Solar Eclipse:

• Occurs when the Moon completely blocks the Sun from Earth.
• People in the Moon's shadow experience total darkness, similar to dawn or dusk.
• The Sun's corona becomes visible, and viewers can briefly remove eclipse glasses.
• The next total solar eclipse in the U.S. is on April 8, 2024.

Annular Solar Eclipse:

• Occurs when the Moon is at or near its farthest point from Earth.
• The Moon appears smaller, creating a ring-like effect around the Sun.
• The last annular eclipse in the U.S. was on Oct. 14, 2023.

Partial Solar Eclipse:

• Occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are not perfectly aligned.
• Only a part of the Sun appears covered, forming a crescent shape.
• Visible to observers outside the Moon's inner shadow during total or annular eclipses.

Hybrid Solar Eclipse:

Occurs when an eclipse shifts between annular and total as the Moon's shadow moves across Earth's curved surface.

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