It’s shadow time, Infant! Soon, people in North America will be able to witness their first solar eclipse in nearly a decade.
Even though the last solar eclipse in North America occurred in 2017, the next one isn’t expected until August 2044, so it’s crucial to seize this moment. More than just a strange shadow, the solar eclipse is a perfect opportunity to hang out outside with your loved ones and meditate on the smallness of humanity compared to the vast universe.
And even if you don’t live in the path of totality or aren’t one of the millions of people traveling to the major event, there are several ways to get involved and watch the total solar eclipse online. You can also check out the best photos of Monday’s solar eclipse here.
What is a total solar eclipse?
“It is an alignment of the sun, moon and earth in such a way The moon moves directly between the sun and the earth, blocking the sun’s rays from reaching the Earth’s surface,” says Noah Petro, an Artemis III project scientist at NASA. If you are in the path of totality, you will see that the moon completely covers the sun. Off the main path? You may still see a partial solar eclipse, where the moon blocks part of the sun.
Despite the involvement of the Moon, a solar eclipse should not be confused with a lunar eclipse. The moon enters the Earth’s shadow and takes on a dark red color. Lunar eclipses are visible over most of the entire hemisphere facing the Moon at that time.
When is the solar eclipse?
The total solar eclipse will occur as it passes through parts of North America Monday, April 8th. Depending on where you are in the path of totality, the eclipse will occur in the afternoon and may last about four minutes. For more details, check out NASA’s map, which shows exactly when the total solar eclipse will occur in various US cities.
How about a partial solar eclipse? For example, even though I live in San Francisco, well outside the path of totality, I should still see a small portion of the sun obscured between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Check out this handy link to see when it occurs, no matter where you are.
Where will it be visible?
While the total solar eclipse mainly happens in Mexico and the United StatesA small part of Eastern Canada is also in the path of totality. To see what it might look like in different locations, check out this fantastic website created by a retired mathematician that simulates the solar eclipse.
Three major Mexican cities where you can watch the total solar eclipse are Mazatlán, Durango and Torreón.
There are numerous places in the United States where you can potentially experience totality. Locations include Dallas, Texas; Russellville, Arkansas; Carbondale, Ill.; Greenwood, Indiana; and Buffalo, New York.