Total Solar Eclipse 2024: Where & When

The contiguous US will see its final total solar eclipse 2024. The Moon fully blocks the Sun’s face during a total solar eclipse.

1. What Is a Total Solar Eclipse?

A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon completely covers the face of the Sun. To see it, you have to be somewhere within a narrow path of totality. This year Total Solar Eclipse 2024 is really expected.

It is not safe to gaze directly at the Sun without the use of specialized eye protection designed for solar viewing, with the exception of the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, which occurs when the Moon totally blocks the brilliant face of the Sun. Observing any portion of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope that does not have a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics can immediately result in severe eye harm.

When you are observing the partial stages of the solar eclipse directly with your eyes, which occurs before and after totality, you are required to always look through safe solar viewing glasses (also known as “eclipse glasses”) or a safe handheld solar viewer. Use of an indirect viewing method, such as a pinhole projector, is another option besides direct seeing. 2024 solar eclipse path of totality will be on one of the most exciting events this year.

2. Where & When

Following Total Solar Eclipse 2024 beginning over the South Pacific Ocean, the complete solar eclipse that will occur on April 8, 2024 will travel across North America, passing across Mexico, the United States of America, and Canada. At around 11:07 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time, the Pacific coast of Mexico will be the first site in continental North America to experience totality, provided that the weather conditions are favorable.

In addition to entering the United States in Texas, the course of the eclipse continues through the states of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. It begins in Mexico and ends in Maine. After crossing the border into Canada in Southern Ontario, the eclipse will proceed across New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Quebec before reaching its final destination. At 5:16 p.m. local daylight time, the eclipse will finally leave continental North America and make its way to the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Canada. Don’t miss out Total Solar Eclipse 2024!

3. Total Solar Eclipse 2024: What to expect?

On Monday, April 8, 2024, there will be a total solar eclipse. This eclipse will take place. The total solar eclipse that will be seen from the continental United States until 2044 will be the last one to occur then.

In the event that the Moon moves between the Sun and the Earth, a total solar eclipse occurs. This occurs when the Moon totally obscures the Sun’s face. The term “path of totality” refers to the path that the Moon’s shadow totally covers the Sun. Those who observe the eclipse from sites along this route will say that they are witnessing a total solar eclipse. It is going to get dark in the sky, just like it would be at dawn or dusk. People along the path of totality will be able to glimpse the corona, also known as the outer atmosphere, of the Sun, which is often covered by the bright face of the Sun. This will only be possible if the weather is favorable.

When a total solar eclipse occurs, it is the only type of solar eclipse in which spectators are permitted to temporarily remove their eclipse glasses (which are not the same as conventional sunglasses). Only during the brief period of time known as totality, during which the Moon totally blocks the Sun, is it safe to remove your eclipse glasses. This is the only time these glasses can be removed safely.

During a total solar eclipse, the weather and the location from which you watch it both play a role in determining what elements you are able to observe. Remember to apply this when Total Solar Eclipse 2024 happen.

4. Stages of a Total Solar Eclipse 2024

There are several distinct stages of a total solar eclipse that observers can watch for. You must not remove your eclipse glasses until the Moon has completely covered the Sun, the portion of the eclipse known as “totality.”

Partial Eclipse

First, the Moon partially covers the Sun as it travels between Earth and Sun. The Sun seems crescent-shaped. The partial eclipse phase lasts 70–80 minutes in most areas. When viewing the Sun during a partial eclipse, wear eclipse glasses. First contact occurs when the Moon “touches” the Sun.

Shadow Bands

Shadow bands are swiftly moving, lengthy, dark bands split by white gaps that can be visible on buildings or the ground before and after totality, although they are faint and hard to capture. Starlight and sharp-edged solar light are distorted by turbulent air cells in Earth’s upper atmosphere, which twinkles stars.

Baily’s Beads

As the Moon continues to move across the Sun, several points of light shine around the Moon’s edges. Known as Baily’s Beads, these are light rays from the Sun streaming through the valleys along the Moon’s horizon. Baily’s Beads are very short-lived, and may not last long enough to be noticeable to all observers of the total solar eclipse.

Diamond Ring

Baily’s Beads will begin to disappear until eventually only a single bright spot will remain along the edge of the Moon’s shadow. This bright spot resembles the diamond in a giant diamond ring formed by the rest of the Sun’s atmosphere. Totality is almost here – but keep those eclipse glasses on!

Totality

After the diamond ring dissolves and direct sunlight stops, you can safely view the total eclipse without eclipse glasses. Second contact occurs here. In totality, viewers may see the chromosphere (a small pink circle around the Moon) and the corona (streams of white light). Reapply your eclipse glasses before totality to safeguard your eyes. Totality may last two minutes or less in some places.

Pause to examine the world during totality. Possible 360-degree sunset. You may also spot dazzling stars or planets in the darker sky. Falling temperatures and eerie silence will surround you. Look around—many people get emotional when the Sun goes into totality.

As we eagerly anticipate the Total Solar Eclipse 2024, remember to mark your calendars for this awe-inspiring celestial event. On April 8, 2024, the sky will offer a spectacular show visible across North America. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness the magnificent total solar eclipse in 2024, a cosmic spectacle that promises to be unforgettable.