The world is preparing for the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, which is the same date as the one that occurred on August 21, 2017 in the United States. North American countries such as Canada and Mexico will also see the total eclipse. For more information on this year’s solar eclipse, four websites were used: Astronomy.com, USA TODAY, The Planet.Org, and Hindustan Times.
Here are some astonishing facts about the solar eclipse of 2024:
1. The 2024 solar eclipse is expected to be more interesting than the 2017 event due to timing, course, and scientific research. When the moon blocks the sun, the route through which humans may see the corona (outer atmosphere) is wider than during the 2017 eclipse.
2. This year’s eclipse path will span 108 to 122 kilometers. In 2017, the moon was slightly farther away, ranging from 62 to 71 miles. But by 2024, it will have covered more ground.
3. Many people will be able to view this year’s solar eclipse. Hopefully, over 32 million individuals residing in the path of totality will be able to view the eclipse.
4. In North America, the moon will cross the Earth and Sun, darkening the sky and generating a total eclipse. In other terms, a solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the earth and the sun, partially or completely blocking the view of the sun.
5. The total eclipse will occur in the afternoon, causing darkness in the impacted locations.
6. Because of the distance and size of the sun and moon, Earth is the only planet that can witness a total solar eclipse.
7. During a total eclipse, the outermost part of the sun (corona) can be seen; nevertheless, it is impossible to see with the naked eye since it is obscured by the sun’s brightness.
8. Solar eclipses affect the moon’s shadow in two ways: the umbra (the darker inner shadow) – when the sun’s light is blocked in the umbra, it results in a total eclipse; if it is in the penumbra (outside the moon’s shadow), it is a partial eclipse.
