Are you eager to witness the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024? Mark your calendars and make sure to check the timings according to your country. This celestial event will be visible in various countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, and other regions of North America. The eclipse will begin on the Pacific coast of Mexico at 11:07 am local time, based on weather conditions. It’s a rare opportunity for astronomy enthusiasts to experience the awe-inspiring phenomenon of a total solar eclipse. Please note that the total solar eclipse of 2024 will not be visible in Pakistan and India.
Solar Eclipse of 8 April 2024
On April 8, a total Solar Eclipse will sweep across 13 US states, extending from the southwest to the Northeast. To witness this celestial event, viewers must position themselves within the narrow path of totality. This year’s eclipse is anticipated to offer an extended period of totality, providing spectators with a unique and captivating experience. Notably, the moon’s visible diameter will be 5.5% larger than usual on this day, reaching a magnitude of 1.0566. Particularly, it will be closest to the cities of Coahuilla, Torreon, and the Mexican town of Nazas, Durango, with a maximum duration of 4 minutes and 28.13 seconds.
During a Total Solar Eclipse, the Moon passes between the Earth and the sun, obscuring the sun’s face and casting a shadow on Earth. This phenomenon plunges the day into darkness, creating a surreal experience for observers. As explained by NASA, the alignment of the Moon causes the solar eclipse, making it visible in many countries around the world. Observers positioned along the eclipse path have the extraordinary opportunity to witness the sun’s corona, resulting in a breathtaking and awe-inspiring celestial spectacle.
Solar Eclipse Timings in different countries
If you’re eager to witness the spectacular event of the eclipse on April 8, it’s essential to know the accurate timings according to your country. Below is a table displaying the timings of the solar eclipse in various countries. The first solar eclipse of 2024 is scheduled for April 8, 2024, starting at 2:12 PM and concluding at 2:22 AM in several regions. Refer to the provided table to ascertain the timings of the eclipse in different regions.
| Sinaloa, Mexico | 11:07 am MST | 4 Min and 20 Sec |
| Durango, Mexico | 12:12 pm CST | 3Min and 50 Sec |
| Ohio, US | 3:13 pm EDT | 3Min and 50 sec |
| Missouri, United States | 1:58 pm CDT | 4 Min and 7 Sec |
| Texas, United States | 1:40 pm CDT | 3 Min and 52 sec |
| Indiana U.S | 3:06 pm EDT | 3 Min and 53 Sec |
| Erie, Pennsylvania | 3:16 pm EDT | 3 Min and 54 sec |
| New York, U.S | 3:20 pm EDT | 3 Min and 40 Sec |
| Quebec, Canada | 3:26 pm EDT | 1 Min and 57 Sec |
| Prince Edward Island, Canada | 4:35 pm ADT | 3 Min and 12 Sec |
| Newfoundland, Canada | 5:13 pm NDT | 2 Min and 53 Sec |
Duration Solar Eclipse 2024
This year’s Total Solar Eclipse is anticipated to last longer than the one witnessed in 2017, promising a more prolonged period of awe-inspiring celestial phenomenon for spectators. However, for citizens of the United States, the significance of this event carries additional weight. If individuals miss the opportunity to witness the Total Solar Eclipse this year, they may find themselves waiting for several decades until the next occurrence, underscoring the rarity and importance of seizing the chance to experience this remarkable celestial event firsthand.
According to the Pakistan Standard Time (PST), the total solar eclipse will start at 08:42 PM on April 8th, totality will start at 09:38 pm, and will end on April 9th, 2024, at 01:52 am.
The upcoming total Solar Eclipse is poised to unfold within a limited trajectory, primarily traversing the Pacific Ocean region, passing approximately 200 nautical miles north of the Marquesas Islands. Following this initial path, the eclipse will then progress towards North America, beginning from the Pacific coastline and continuing its trajectory northeastward, traversing through Mexico, the United States, and Canada, before reaching its culmination point in the Atlantic Ocean.
Why Total Solar Eclipse are so rare?
Total Solar Eclipses are rare phenomena that occur when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, completely blocking the Sun’s light and casting a shadow on Earth. This alignment requires precise conditions:
- Size of the Sun and Moon: The apparent sizes of the Sun and Moon from Earth play a crucial role. The Moon’s diameter is much smaller than the Sun’s, but its proximity to Earth allows it to appear the same size as the Sun, enabling it to cover it during an eclipse.
- Alignment: The alignment of the Moon, Sun, and Earth must be precise for a total solar eclipse to occur. The Moon’s orbit is slightly tilted relative to Earth’s orbit around the Sun, causing its shadow to usually miss Earth, resulting in partial or no eclipse.
- Location: Total solar eclipses can only be observed from specific locations on Earth. The path of totality, where the eclipse is visible, is narrow, typically spanning just a few dozen miles. Outside this path, observers may only witness a partial eclipse.
- Duration: Total solar eclipses are brief events that occur infrequently. Lasting only a few minutes at any given location along the path of totality, their short duration adds to their rarity.
These factors combined contribute to the rarity of total solar eclipses, making them highly anticipated and sought-after celestial events.
Some Safety Tips to see the Solar Eclipse 2024
Here are some safety tips to ensure you can observe the solar eclipse on April 8th safely:
- Inspect your solar viewer or eclipse glasses for any damage before using them. If you notice any tears or defects, discard them and obtain a new pair.
- If you normally wear glasses, do not remove them to view the eclipse. Instead, place eclipse glasses over your regular glasses or use solar viewers directly on them.
- Always protect your eyes by wearing eclipse glasses or using a solar viewer before looking at the sun.
- After viewing the sun through a solar filter, move away from direct sunlight before removing the filter. Never take off the filter while facing the sun.
- It’s important to note that ordinary sunglasses are not suitable for observing a solar eclipse. Instead, be sure to use certified eclipse glasses or specialized sun filters specifically designed for safely viewing the sun during an eclipse.
- Additionally, consider wearing protective clothing, sunscreen, a hat, and other sun protection gear to ensure safe viewing of the solar eclipse.
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