We are less than a month away from a rare opportunity to witness a total solar eclipse that is expected to plunge a considerable part of North America into darkness on April 8.
The total eclipse this year will last longer than the one seen by over 20 million people in August 2017, and according to NASA, it will not happen again for the next 20 years. Fifteen total solar eclipses have been recorded in the U.S. over the last 150 years, with the next one expected in August 2044.
Below, we outline what you need to know and how to prepare for the total eclipse of 2024.
What is a solar eclipse?
Solar eclipses occur when the moon passes directly between the sun and the Earth’s orbits, creating a line of darkness in the view that the Earth has of the sun.
The path of totality is exactly that line of darkness, which is expected to start in Mexico, entering the United States through Texas and reaching the coast of Newfoundland in Canada. The expected duration of totality is about 4 hours, starting around 11:07 AM and ending around 5:16 PM local time.
The states in the path of totality for the 2024 solar eclipse include Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
In total, 99% of people in the U.S. will be able to witness the eclipse either partially or totally from where they live.
How to safely watch the 2024 eclipse
Looking directly at a total eclipse can be harmful to the human eye, as ultraviolet light can damage the eyes. Therefore, the ideal recommendation from experts is to use glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard.
According to NASA’s website, the agency does not recommend specific eclipse viewing glasses but advises that glasses come with an ISO compliance label, or standard, of 12312-2 on the packaging. The glasses may also be labeled as IOS 12312-2:2015. According to NASA, torn, scratched, or damaged glasses should be discarded.
While retailers are already selling eclipse glasses on their shelves, buyers should be cautious, especially when the product claims to be endorsed by NASA. NASA does not make specific recommendations.
Source: Detroit Free Press and NPR