A mesmerizing animation on Google marked the long-awaited arrival of a total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, as celestial enthusiasts around the world eagerly await this rare cosmic event. As users type “solar eclipse” into the search engine, a captivating pop-up with an image of the eclipsed sun graces the screen before revealing the search results.
Total solar eclipses occur when the moon lines up exactly between the Earth and the sun, temporarily blacking out sunlight. Anticipation for this spectacle is palpable among nearly 32 million people in 15 states across the United States, with the eclipse spreading across Canada within half an hour.
Over a total path of 185 kilometers, another 150 million people living within 320 kilometers of the route are positioned to witness this celestial phenomenon. Even those outside this range can catch a glimpse of the event, either via a partial solar eclipse or a live webcast provided by NASA.
Leading up to this rare event, communities across the United States have organized festivals, viewing gatherings and even a collective wedding along the path of the eclipse's totality. Numerous schools within this range will either close for the day or dismiss students early to facilitate eclipse viewing. Several airlines have taken advantage of the moment and promoted special flights positioned to travel under the eclipse, with Delta planning two special trips along the path of totality.
As excitement builds, residents in the southern and central US are hoping for clear skies, with the prospect of rain clouds potentially dampening the spectacle. Strikingly, the next total solar eclipse visible from a significant part of North America is not expected until 2044.
In parallel, NASA plans to launch a trio of sounding rockets to investigate changes caused by the sudden darkness in the ionosphere, a crucial atmospheric layer vital for long-distance radio communications. At the same time, India's Aditya L1 spacecraft, part of the Indian Space Research Organization's (ISRO) inaugural solar mission, is positioned to observe the Sun during the eclipse. This mission aims to deepen the understanding of the Sun's chromosphere and corona.
Solar eclipses, popularly called 'Surya Grahan', hold significant significance for astronomers and science enthusiasts. According to a report from sciencenews.org, this year's total solar eclipse is expected to be particularly captivating, with a longer duration, darker skies and increased solar activity.
According to the NASA report, the solar eclipse will span a longer duration, cover a wider path and witness intensified solar activity, potentially allowing viewers to witness coronal mass ejections if they occur.
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Published: Apr 8, 2024 10:35 AM IST