Total solar eclipse 2024: Where, when, and how to watch

On Monday, a unique occurrence in nature can be witnessed by several individuals throughout North America. It is a total solar eclipse and its visibility can be anticipated in selected areas of Mexico, Canada, and the United States.

During a total eclipse, the moon will entirely cover the sun, leading to darkened skies for a short period of time, similar to a sunrise or sunset. As described by NASA, the agency responsible for space exploration in the United States.

You will be able to see it from an area that is 185km in width, which extends from the western coastal area of Mexico, passes through the United States, and goes all the way up to the easternmost province, Newfoundland and Labrador, of Canada. This region is commonly referred to as the "path of totality."

According to NASA's website, if the weather is good, individuals on the route of totality will get to witness the sun's corona or its outer atmosphere. Normally, this is concealed by the sun's bright surface.

According to Anthony Aveni, who is a retired professor from Colgate University in New York and has written a book about solar eclipses called "In the Shadow of the Moon," the path of totality is the place to be on Monday.

The moment of totality, which lasts around three minutes, is extremely valuable as one can witness various exceptional events that are not visible in normal life. This period leaves one mesmerized and forces them to pause their activities and stare in awe at nature, as stated by the person in an interview with Al Jazeera.

How frequent are total solar eclipses? What is its usual duration? What are the ways and places to watch safely? Here's a comprehensive guide for you.

When And Where Can You See The Total Eclipse?

The complete solar eclipse happening on Monday can be observed from certain areas of Canada, the US, and Mexico.

The total solar eclipse is expected to make its way towards continental North America by starting off in Mazatlan located in the northwestern region of Sinaloa in Mexico at 11:07am according to local time (18:07 GMT). It will eventually leave the continent from Newfoundland in Canada situated on the Atlantic coast at 5:16pm local time (19:46 GMT).

During the eclipse, Texas will be the first state in the US to witness it at 1:27pm according to the local time zone. The eclipse will end in Maine at 3:35pm also according to the local time zone.

The duration will be brief, and the precise length of time it can be observed is subject to variation based on your position on the totality path.

As an illustration, the total solar eclipse will begin at 3:16pm in Erie, Pennsylvania according to local time (19:16 Greenwich Mean Time) and will conclude at 3:20pm (19:20 GMT).

In a short while, the eclipse will arrive at Buffalo, New York. Totality will commence at 3:18pm according to the local time (19:18 GMT), concluding at 3:22pm (19:22 GMT).

On Monday, there will be a period of time when a partial eclipse can be seen, lasting for approximately two hours before and after the moment of totality.

Total Solar Eclipse: What Occurs During It?

As the sun is orbited by both the Earth and moon, the moon also makes a monthly rotation around the Earth.

Throughout a complete solar eclipse, the Earth’s natural satellite moves directly in the middle of the sun and our planet. This results in the complete concealment of the sun’s light on one side and the formation of a shadow in a small region of the Earth on its opposite side.

The obscure inner section, otherwise known as the "umbra," of the Earth's shadow produces a skinny trail or "route" as the moon revolves around it. Places situated on this route, particularly those located on its middle axis, that are positioned straightforwardly beneath the shadow, are where the complete eclipse can be observed.

The pathway measures approximately 160 kilometers in terms of width and stretches up to 16,000 kilometers in terms of length, equivalent to 10,000 miles.

Khady Adama Ndao, an ambassador for NASA's eclipses, stated that a lunar eclipse can last for a few hours and be visible to people worldwide. However, a total eclipse can only occur within a specific path of the new moon.

The occurrence of this eclipse is exclusive to when the moon is in its new phase. The moon's placement in its path around the sun and Earth, along with the angles of all three celestial bodies at a particular moment, are responsible for generating a complete eclipse.

In a total eclipse, the moon will appear to perfectly conceal the sun due to its close proximity to Earth. However, in actuality, the moon is an astounding 400 times tinier than the sun. It is the augmented gap between the moon and sun during an eclipse that creates the illusion that the moon is large enough to obscure the sun.

In the meantime, individuals who are in close proximity to the path of totality but not exactly in it may witness a partial eclipse on Monday. This is when merely a portion of the sun is hidden by the moon.

The regions where an incomplete solar eclipse can be observed are located in the dimmer areas of the moon's broader shadow, known as the "penumbra".

What's The Appearance Of A Total Eclipse?

During an eclipse, when the moon passes in front of the sun, it gradually blocks the sun's light. This causes the sky to darken until the moment of "totality" is reached. At this point, the sun is almost completely covered, and only a small ring of light or the corona is visible.

Following an interval, individuals situated in the route of totality will once more witness a partial eclipse as the moon starts to retreat. The sun will gradually become completely unobstructed once more.

What Else Occurs During Totality?

The temperature is decreasing, and animals begin to act as though it is nighttime.

Birds may alter their singing habits, and animals that are active at night, like bats and owls, could begin their search for food.

The stars and other things in space that are visible in the night sky may become clearer.

If someone were to stand on the moon or a space station that orbits Earth, they would also have the ability to witness a dark shadow moving across the planet.

Duration Of April 8 Total Solar Eclipse?

A complete occurrence of the sun's blockage by the moon, also known as a total solar eclipse, can persist for around two to three hours. It begins with the moon starting to shade the sun and concludes when the moon finally moves away from the sun, ending the obstructive phase.

Nonetheless, in 2021, the time frame for the full eclipse will only extend for approximately three and a half to four minutes in the majority of locations.

Regions situated directly on or in close proximity to the line in the middle will encounter the most prolonged duration of complete obscurity, whereas those situated further away from the middle line will experience relatively brief periods of complete obscurity.

On Monday, the longest time of complete totality will be 4 minutes and 28 seconds. This will happen near Torreon, Mexico because that is where the shadow's path is directly vertical to the Earth and closest to the center of the dark shadow.

In previous times, the entire duration of a solar eclipse has lasted for only a short period of a few seconds in certain areas and up to as much as seven and a half minutes in others.

The length of the eclipse and the time of complete darkness vary because of various factors. These factors can include the shape of the Earth and the angle at which the shadow of the moon hits it.

Apps like "Totality" for mobile devices can follow the beginning and end moments of an eclipse, as well as the total duration of the phenomenon in varying cities across its path.

Cultural & Historical Beliefs On Solar Eclipses?

For many centuries, total solar eclipses have fascinated humans. However, some ancient societies considered this occurrence to be a sign of impending doom.

During the times of ancient China, individuals had a belief that solar eclipses occurred because a "celestial dragon" was devouring the sun. NASA explains that the populace would create loud sounds during the eclipses in order to scare away the dragon.

The South American Inca civilization had a belief that when a solar eclipse occurred, it was an indication of their sun deity Inti's fury.

During olden times in Mesopotamia, which is now Iraq, people believed that a solar eclipse meant trouble for the leader. This caused important leaders to create a strategy called the "substitute king".

To protect the genuine Assyrian ruler from any harm, they used to prepare a replacement who would be dressed up as the actual king and offered as a sacrifice. Sarah Graff, who is a curator in the Department of Ancient Near Eastern Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, clarified that it was done to avoid the unfortunate destiny that awaits the real king.

Aveni from Colgate University states that people often think that those in the past were not as smart and believed in more superstitions than people today when it comes to eclipses. However, Aveni believes that this is the perfect opportunity to discuss and learn. Al Jazeera reported this statement.

In the past, individuals in the Andean civilization utilized noise-making techniques as an eclipse occurred. The purpose of this was to caution the sun against trusting the moon's whispers that the Earth's inhabitants carry out nefarious deeds during the night. According to Aveni, this provided an opportunity to deliberate on the topic of deceit as that was essentially what was being addressed.

Watching Solar Eclipse Safely: Glasses Needed?

Specialists emphasize the importance of being safe.

Within a short period, when the moon fully covers the sun, individuals have the opportunity to witness the complete eclipse without any aids.

However, during the time when the moon only partially covers the sun, both before and after the total eclipse, it is crucial to utilize either specifically crafted, safeguarding solar spectacles or a portable solar visual apparatus.

According to B Ralph Chou, who holds the position of president at Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, not using appropriate eye protection can cause harm to one's eyes.

If individuals stare at the sun without protection frequently and for extended periods, they have a high likelihood of experiencing a significant danger of experiencing sustained damage to their eyesight if they get injured.

There are a few reasons why staring at the sun can be dangerous. One of these is because the sun's light is very strong and can emit dangerous radiation. Another reason is that the eye does not have pain receptors, so it is easier to stare at the sun for too long without realizing the harm it can cause.

During an eclipse, pupils may appear smaller than usual, which can increase the risk of damage from the intense light that enters the eyes. NASA's eclipse ambassador, Ndao, describes this sensation as similar to suddenly being exposed to bright light after being in the dark for a while.

Preparing For What?

In preparation for Monday's eclipse, various cities and towns in the path of totality have been giving out special glasses to locals for viewing the celestial event. Furthermore, institutions such as museums and science centers are hosting gatherings to watch it as well.

In the United States and Canada, schools will be closing on Monday so that the students can watch the eclipse. These schools are worried about the safety of their students since the eclipse is happening close to when school normally ends. By closing the schools, they hope to avoid any problems.

According to Barbara Gruber, who works as the assistant director of education and public outreach at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in the United States, there are groups of individuals who are utilizing private aircrafts to observe the totality.

Even though it is allowed, the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States has issued safety recommendations regarding flying in the midst of a total solar eclipse.

Will You See The Total Eclipse In Its Path Of Totality?

Regrettably, no. The weather circumstances will have a significant impact on the visibility of the eclipse for enthusiasts on Monday.

To put it differently, the presence of clouds may negatively impact the ability to see clearly.

In case you are not located in North America, there are numerous organizations that will broadcast the full eclipse experience live. One of these institutions includes NASA.

"How Often Do Total Solar Eclipses Occur?"

Although the US may not witness another eclipse for a minimum of nine years on a Monday, a full solar eclipse tends to happen every 18 months.

Ndao says that numerous complete eclipses can solely be observed from the ocean, and there's a likelihood that no one would witness them at all.

Furthermore, after a specific region encounters a complete eclipse, it might take hundreds of years for the occurrence to happen again.

According to Gruber's statement to Al Jazeera, a complete solar eclipse occurs at a particular location approximately once every 350 years on average. It's important to note that this average may not reflect the actual occurrence. Certain fortunate locations, on the other hand, may experience an eclipse within a shorter time frame.

Next Total Solar Eclipse Date?

In a few years, there will be two total solar eclipses. The first one is scheduled on August 12, 2026, and it will occur in Greenland, Iceland, and Spain. Approximately a year after, on August 2, 2027, another one will be visible from northern Africa, Gibraltar, and the Saudi peninsula.

The upcoming total eclipse in the United States will only be visible in Alaska and is expected to happen in 2033.

NRAO has announced that a total eclipse will be visible in Western Canada, Montana, and North Dakota in 2044. Additionally, the following year, individuals across the United States will have the opportunity to view a total eclipse from one coast to the other.

Specialists suggest that in the future, there will be a time when complete solar eclipses will no longer happen at all, but it won't happen for a considerable amount of time.

As the universe continues to grow, the moon is slowly getting farther from the Earth every year. At the same time, the sun is also increasing in size. This means that at some point, the moon will no longer be able to cover the entire sun when it passes in front of it.

Even though it's not happening anytime soon, there's been research from NASA suggesting that total eclipses won't be happening in about 563 million years.