On April 8 this year, the sun will perform yet another vanishing act. This time around, it will be in the form of a total solar eclipse. Enthusiasts will be able to watch as the moon completely obscures the sun, casting a shadow on Earth. This remarkable event will be visible across continental North America, spanning Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
To be sure, we can predict when the next solar eclipse will occur, given that it follows a cycle known as the Saros cycle, which lasts about 6,585 days or roughly 18 years. During solar corona, Earthshine illuminates the moon's surface, making it visible during totality, surrounded by the sun's corona.
Total Solar 2024 Path
The journey of totality will commence over the South Pacific Ocean before making its way to Mexico's Pacific coast, where totality will first be visible at approximately 11.07 am PDT (12.37 am India time). The eclipse’s path will then traverse the United States, crossing through states such as Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan will also have the opportunity to see it.
The trajectory will continue into Canada, crossing through Ontario and then spanning Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton before finally departing continental North America along the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland.
Major cities including Dallas, Little Rock, Burlington, Cleveland, Caribou, and Erie will be treated to the full spectacle, offering ample opportunities for skywatchers to witness this rare astronomical phenomenon. Some regions outside the path of totality will have the opportunity to experience a partial eclipse to varying extents, but the eclipse will not be visible in India.
Those who wish to see the most mesmerising view of the sun fully obscured by the moon, however, will have to position themselves within the path of totality. As with any celestial event, favourable weather conditions are essential for optimal visibility and better viewing. Clear skies will provide the best experience, prompting astronomers and eclipse enthusiasts to closely monitor weather forecasts in the days leading up to the event.
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