Total solar eclipse on April 8: North America will witness a total solar eclipse next Monday (April 8). The cosmic event will start along Mexico's Pacific coast and travel through Texas and 14 other U.S. states before passing over Canada, according to an AP report.
A solar eclipse was last visible over North America in 2017.
So what is the significance of this solar eclipse?
- First, this eclipse will last almost twice as long and draw a larger audience than the eclipse that crossed the entire United States in August 2017. During the event, the moon will block the sun for approximately 4 minutes and 28 seconds.
- The rare spectacle, usually seen in remote areas, will this time pass major cities like Dallas, Indianapolis and Cleveland. An estimated 44 million people live within the path of totality, and several hundred million more within a 200-mile radius, making this the largest eclipse crowd ever on the continent.
- Nearly everyone in North America will experience a partial solar eclipse, and for those who can't see it in person, NASA is offering online livestreaming from several cities along the path of totality.
- The moon's shadow will cross North America diagonally, from southwest to northeast, plunging communities along its path into temporary darkness. The totality will begin in Mazatlan, Mexico, and end in Newfoundland, Canada.
- Along the way, fifteen US states, stretching from Texas to Maine, will witness the totality, with glimpses of the phenomenon also visible in parts of Tennessee and Michigan.
- However, the visibility of the phenomenon will depend on weather conditions. The National Weather Service issues daily updates on cloud cover forecasts along the eclipse's path.
- During the total solar eclipse, observers can see a comet and four planets. Jupiter will appear to the left of the Sun, while Venus will be on the right. Saturn and Mars will be placed to the right of Venus, albeit less visible. Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is currently passing by Earth, a phenomenon that occurs approximately every 71 years. Although faint, it will be close to Jupiter during the eclipse.
- After Monday's solar eclipse, the next total solar eclipse is not expected until 2026. However, this will only cover the northern parts of the world and affect Greenland, Iceland and Spain. In 2027, another solar eclipse will cross Spain and North Africa, with totality lasting as much as 6 1/2 minutes.
- North Americans will have to wait until 2033 for the next total solar eclipse, which will only be visible in Alaska. By 2044, Western Canada, Montana and North Dakota will have prime viewing locations. Finally, in 2045, the United States will witness another total solar eclipse from coast to coast.
When will the solar eclipse be visible in India?
Cosmic enthusiasts in India cannot attend this event. Fans around the world travel to the US to watch the astronomical spectacle from the sky.
Notably, in 2031, the annular solar eclipse on May 21 will cover about 28.87 percent of the Sun and will be visible in several Indian cities.
This 'ring of fire' eclipse will grace the skies of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The cities of Kochi, Alappuzha, Chalakudy, Kottayam, Tiruvalla, Pathanamthitta, Painavu, Gudalur (Theni), Theni, Madurai, Ilaiyangudi, Karaikudi and Vedaranyam will witness the 2031 solar eclipse.
It is advisable not to look directly at the sun during a solar eclipse as this is unsafe and can cause damage to the eyes. Special solar viewing eye protection must be worn to view the astronomical event.
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Published: Apr 3, 2024 1:02 PM IST