Total Solar Eclipse 2024: Google comes up with special animation for rare event. See how it works

Users who search about the total solar eclipse will see a graphic version of the phenomenon on the page.

Skygazers are in for a treat as a total solar eclipse, dubbed ‘The Great North American Eclipse’, will be gracing the skies in North America on April 8. Total eclipses are rare astronomical events, only visible from a few locations, and hence are a source of excitement among ardent skywatchers.

Google is also marking the special eventwith an animation. Users who search about the total solar eclipse will see a graphic version of the phenomenon on the page, where the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun and blocks the Sun’s light entirely or partially.

This year, it will be a rare total solar eclipse where the moon will entirely cover the sun and the event will appear as a ring of fire.

To see the Google animation, users can type in the following:

• Total solar eclipse 2024
• Solar eclipse 2024
• Eclipse 2024
• Eclipse on April 8

Meanwhile, the total solar eclipse will begin at 9:12 pm Indian Standard Time (IST), totality will begin at 10:08 pm and will end at 2:22 am IST on April 9.

People who want to watch the solar eclipse can tune into NASA's livestream. The phenomenon will be broadcasted on April 8 at 10:30 pm IST and continue till 1:30 am IST.

During the livestream, the space agency will share conversations with experts and offer telescopic views of the eclipse from different sites along the eclipse path.

The total solar eclipse will not be visible in India but will be visible in the United States, Mexico, Canada and other parts of North America.