Solar Eclipse 2024: Skywatchers are eagerly waiting for a total solar eclipse set to grace the skies across North America on April 8. The astronomical spectacle will turn the day into night, turning the sky dark. However, the total eclipse will be visible only in a few locations.
Solar eclipse is an astronomical phenomenon that occurs when the Moon crosses the Earth and the Sun, blocking the Sun’s light either entirely or partially. When the Moon covers the Sun totally, it casts a shadow on Earth, forming the “path of totality,” a relatively narrow band that moves across the surface. When the weather and clouds cooperate, people inside the band can witness a total solar eclipse.
Solar Eclipse 2024: Date, Time, Visibility And Duration
The total solar eclipse of 2024 will occur on April 8. It will be visible across a 185-kilometre stretch between Mexico, the United States and Canada.
The total solar eclipse will not be visible in India. According to the Indian Standard Time (IST), the total solar eclipse will begin at 09:12 pm on April 8 and the totality will start at 10:08 pm. It will end on April 9 at 2:22 am IST. Mexico’s Pacific coast will be the first place to experience totality at around 11:07 am PDT. Furthermore, the occurrence will leave Maine at around 1:30 pm PDT.
Although the whole solar eclipse will take about two and a half hours, the totality will last only four minutes. The duration of totality i.e. four minutes and 27 seconds is almost double that of The Great American Eclipse of August 2017.
Solar Eclipse 2024: How To Watch
The Sun surface produces enough light to damage individual retinal cells in your eyes, no matter how small portion you stare at. Skygazers worldwide have been advised to wear protective eyewear, like eclipse glasses, during the solar eclipse. Looking directly at the solar eclipse can burn the eye’s retinas and cause permanent damage or even blindness.
For people who will not be able to witness the solar eclipse in person, they can watch the solar eclipse online on NASA’s live stream on YouTube. The space agency will start the live stream at 10:30 pm IST (05:00 pm GMT) and continue until 01:30 pm IST (08:00 pm GMT). McDonald Observatory in Texas will also broadcast the live streaming of the solar eclipse.
(With inputs from agencies)