The next great North American solar eclipse is happening! Know when, where and how to see it.
Two years from now, there will be an inspiring moment for all skywatchers! In 2024, the North American Great Solar Eclipse will take place. It will cross the country on April 8 covering a swath of land from Mexico to Canada and turning daylight into night-like darkness. Back in 2017, the United States saw its first total solar eclipse in nearly 40 years, creating a spectacular sight for everyone. Now, another amazing total solar eclipse is on its way to North America. And, two years is not all that far away. The popularity of total solar eclipses is always high and it even causes people to travel across different countries to be able to see it.
So, let’s decipher these terms first, a solar eclipse occurs when the Earth, sun, and moon align in such a way that one celestial body casts its shadow over another. Especially during a solar eclipse, the moon is between the Earth and the Sun, leaving its shadow to move across the Earth’s surface. And a total solar eclipse occurs when the moon is just a moderate distance from the Earth in such a way that it completely covers the Sun. Two years from now, the same situation will unfold, bringing night-like darkness to daytime in North America.
When and where to watch the Great Eclipse?
As mentioned, the Great North American Total Solar Eclipse will occur on April 8, 2024 starting in Mazatlan, Mexico, at 10:51 a.m. local time. The start time will be for a partial lunar eclipse, and the best view of the eclipse will occur during its peak when the moon will completely cover the sun. Space.com mentioned that the eclipse will pass through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
Be aware, though, that the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recommends viewing the eclipse only when wearing special ISO-approved glasses. And you should avoid viewing it with the naked eye.
But, why is the North American Great Eclipse important?
Well, total lunar eclipses are not rare! Because it happens about every 18 months. But there are rare cases. On average, a particular location can experience a total solar eclipse about once every 375 years! So you can guess how rarely the US experiences a total solar eclipse. The Space.com report mentions that prior to the 2017 total solar eclipse, North America experienced an earlier total solar eclipse in 1918!
The ‘great solar eclipse of 2024’ will cast a wider and longer shadow than the 2017 eclipse. That means, it will be easy for everyone to see the spectacular moment in 2024!
