Total Solar Eclipse April 2024: Here’s When to Expect It, What to Do

Come the Total Solar Eclipse, and you might not know what to do and be left in the dark, especially as it will be a significant astronomical event in which the Moon perfectly aligns with the Sun.

It will happen in the second week of April, and North America will see a massive change for several minutes during the daytime, which will also affect the temperature in the regions.

Astronomers and heliophysicists have long expected it, as a total blockage of the Moon does not usually occur annually.

Total Solar Eclipse April 2024: Here's When to Expect It

Save the date for Monday, April 8, 2024, as the Moon will entirely cover the Sun as it passes across North America and down to Mexico.

Moreover, it is also important to note that as it crosses, the total coverage of the Sun will take place on Mexico's Pacific coast at around 11:07 AM (Pacific Daylight Time).

The Total Solar Eclipse of April 2024 will pass many states in the US starting with Texas, then heading towards Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Users may see the total solar eclipse map from NASA and the exact timetable of its passing through the mentioned states above.

What to Do for the Total Solar Eclipse This April?

The general public may view the upcoming astronomical event, with a total solar eclipse known for being a rare occurrence that does not happen annually. However, it is important to note that looking at it directly is greatly discouraged as it could bring eye strain or other damage.

Specialized gear and protection are recommended, and NASA also outlines safety guidelines for enjoying the experience.

Solar Eclipses and Its Study

In science and astrology, solar eclipses have significant effects on the Earth, particularly as the Moon will block the direct beam of the Sun to the Earth, thus causing several changes to the upper parts of the atmosphere.

However, it is only a temporary one, and last year's partial solar eclipse captured a remarkable event where North America is seen with the 'Ring of Fire,' a cast of the Moon's shadow.

Last year, NASA also observed a solar eclipse in April using a unique method of flying a kite to see it closely, one that carries a special instrument that would see more of this phenomenon.

The instrument is called the ALIMAS, or the Advanced Low-Intensity Multiplexed Astronomical Spectrometer, carried by the massive kite.

This year, the solar eclipse will have the moon closer to the Earth, giving it an illusion that it is larger, and thus, will cover the Sun greatly, also referred to as a total eclipse.

Texas' Bell County has already declared a state of emergency for this upcoming astronomical event, particularly with the drastic drop in temperature and the loss of sunlight for a short moment, which is set to be one of the rarest occurrences for this year.