Another mesmerizing celestial event is on the horizon as the sun gears up for a vanishing act, casting a veil of darkness across North America during a total solar eclipse.
Scheduled for April 8, the peak of this spectacle will endure for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds within the path of total darkness, doubling the duration of the 2017 eclipse that graced U.S. skies.
This eclipse is set to traverse a different, more densely populated route, commencing its journey over Mexico’s Pacific coast, traversing through Texas and Oklahoma, and weaving across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and New England regions before bidding adieu over eastern Canada into the Atlantic.
Approximately 44 million individuals reside within the 115-mile-wide path of totality stretching from Mazatlán, Mexico, to Newfoundland, with roughly 32 million of them located in the U.S., guaranteeing congested roads as crowds flock to witness this celestial phenomenon.
NASA’s eclipse program manager, Kelly Korreck, expressed that the eclipse will provide an opportunity for many to marvel at the “wonder of the universe without going very far.”
Here’s what you need to know about April’s celestial extravaganza and how to get ready:
The moon will perfectly align between the Earth and the sun, obscuring sunlight. In less than 2 1/2 hours, the moon’s shadow will trace a diagonal path from the southwest to the northeast across North America, briefly enveloping communities along its trajectory in darkness.
Fifteen U.S. states will have a chance to witness this event, albeit Tennessee and Michigan will only catch a glimpse.
Notable cities within the eclipse’s trajectory include Dallas, Little Rock, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo, and Montreal, promising the largest eclipse audience on the continent.
Even if you’re not within the path of totality, you can still witness at least a partial eclipse. The closer you are to the path, the more substantial the sun’s coverage by the moon will be. In cities like Seattle and Portland, about one-third of the sun will be obscured.
Coincidentally, the moon will make its closest approach to Earth of the month the day before the total solar eclipse, positioning it just 223,000 miles away on eclipse day. This proximity will make the moon appear slightly larger in the sky, resulting in an extended period of sun-blocked darkness.
Additionally, on eclipse day, the Earth and moon will be approximately 93 million miles from the sun, the average distance.
The use of special eclipse glasses is imperative for safe observation as the moon transits across the sky, covering and uncovering the sun. During totality, when the sun is completely obscured, it’s safe to view with the naked eye. However, before and after totality, certified eclipse glasses are essential to prevent eye damage. It’s crucial to ensure that these glasses are not scratched or damaged.
Cameras, binoculars, and telescopes must be equipped with special solar filters for safe viewing. Remember, never look directly at the exposed sun without proper protection, regardless of the day.
Communities along the path of totality are hosting various events, including festivals, races, yoga retreats, drum circles, and more. These gatherings will take place at museums, fairgrounds, parks, stadiums, wineries, breweries, and unique venues like Ohio’s oldest drive-in movie theater and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Aside from observing the eclipse, attendees can partake in activities such as attending a “space prom” in Texas Hill Country, participating in eclipse-themed wedding ceremonies in Tiffin, Ohio, and Russellville, Arkansas, or exploring moonwalking history at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio, the hometown of Neil Armstrong.
During the eclipse, NASA will launch small rockets equipped with scientific instruments into the upper atmosphere from Virginia and track totality’s shadow from high-altitude planes. Satellites and the crew aboard the International Space Station will also attempt to capture the event from space.
While total solar eclipses occur every few years, they often take place in remote locations such as the South Pacific or Antarctic. The next total solar eclipse is slated for 2026, gracing the northern fringes of Greenland, Iceland, and Spain.
North America won’t witness totality again until 2033, with Alaska being the prime location. Following that, the next opportunity will arise in 2044, with totality confined to Western Canada, Montana, and North Dakota.
The U.S. won’t experience another coast-to-coast eclipse until 2045, stretching from Northern California to Cape Canaveral, Florida.
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With the exception of Carbondale, Illinois, which was in the path of both the 2017 and 2024 eclipses, it typically takes hundreds to thousands of years for totality to return to the same location, as noted by NASA’s Korreck.
