Today marks the occurrence of the 2024 total solar eclipse! Here's everything you should be aware of.
The eagerly anticipated day has arrived! The total solar eclipse of 2024 is now upon us.
Today, on April 8th, a total solar eclipse will traverse North America, stretching from Mexico, through 15 U.S. states, and continuing up into Canada. Within the path of totality, spectators will witness the moon completely obscuring the sun, casting a shadow and unveiling the sun's enigmatic outer atmosphere.
Today, every state in the United States will witness at least a partial solar eclipse. It's crucial to emphasize never to look directly at the sun. To safely observe the event, protective solar glasses or filters must be used. Only individuals within the path of totality will have the opportunity to briefly remove their protective eye wear to view the sun's corona with the naked eye. Those outside the path of totality should keep their protective gear on throughout the entire event.
For those observing the partial phases, which encompasses the entirety of the event for those not within the path of totality, solar eclipse glasses are essential. Additionally, cameras, telescopes, and binoculars must have solar filters affixed to their lenses.
What is a Solar Eclipse ?
A solar eclipse occurs when a celestial object, such as a moon or a planet, passes between two other bodies, obstructing the view of objects like the sun. During a total eclipse, the moon appears to be the same size as the sun, completely blocking its disk and resulting in a period of darkness lasting several minutes. This phenomenon, known as "totality," allows observers to witness the sun's outermost layer, the corona, and often disrupts animal behavior, causing nocturnal creatures to stir and birds and insects to fall silent.
The day prior to the eclipse, the moon will be at its closest point to Earth, only 223,000 miles away. This proximity causes the moon to appear larger in the sky, resulting in an exceptionally prolonged period of darkness. On the day of the eclipse, the Earth and moon will be approximately 93 million miles away from the sun.
As reported by USA Today, an estimated 44 million people, including 32 million in the United States, are expected to witness the 115-mile-wide path of totality, stretching from Mazatlán, Mexico, to Newfoundland.
In Indianapolis, the solar eclipse will last for 3 minutes and 49.4 seconds, according to eclipse2024.org. For specific times and durations in other cities, individuals can visit the website.
What is Purkinje effect ?
During the eclipse, observers may notice the Purkinje effect, where colors begin to appear less vibrant as the sky darkens, with warmer hues like red and orange blending into grays while green shades become brighter.
When is the next solar eclipse ?
The next solar eclipse visible from the United States won't occur until August 23, 2044, according to NASA.
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