Great North American Solar Eclipse coming! Why it is a big deal?

Next Great North American Solar Eclipse is on the way! Know when, where, and how to watch it.

Two years from now, there will be an awe-inspiring moment for all skywatchers! In 2024, the Great North American Solar Eclipse will come to pass. It will cross the country on April 8 covering a wide range of land from Mexico to Canada and turn daylight into night-like darkness. Back in 2017, the United States had seen its first total solar eclipse in almost 40 years that created a spectacular scene for all. Now, another great total solar eclipse is on the way for North America. And, two years are not all that far. Popularity of total solar eclipses has always been high and it even makes people travel across different countries to catch a glimpse of it.

So let’s first decode these terms, an eclipse occurs when the Earth, sun, and moon are aligned in such a way that one celestial body casts its shadow on the other. Particularly in a solar eclipse, the moon comes between the Earth and the Sun, leaving its shadow to move across the Earth’s surface. And a total solar eclipse occurs when the moon is just the right distance away from the Earth in such a way that it completely covers the Sun. Two years from now, the same situation will occur which will bring night-like darkness during the day in North America.

When and where to watch the Great solar Eclipse?

As mentioned, the Great North American Total Solar Eclipse will occur on April 8, 2024 starting from Mazatlan, Mexico, at 10:51 a.m. local time. The starting time will be for the partial eclipse, and the best scene of the eclipse will emerge during its peak when the moon will completely cover the sun. Space.com mentioned that the solar eclipse will cross through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Though, you need to know that the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) suggests viewing the solar eclipse only while wearing special glasses approved by ISO. And you should avoid watching it with naked eyes.

But, why is the Great North American Solar Eclipse important?

Well, total eclipses are not that rare! As it occurs approximately every 18 months. But there are rare occurrences. On an average, a specific location can experience a total solar eclipse around every 375 years! So, you can guess how rare it is for the United States to experience a total solar eclipse. The Space.com report mentioned that before 2017’s total eclipse, North America had experienced its earlier total solar eclipse in 1918!

The ‘Great solar eclipse of 2024’ will cast a wider shadow and will last longer than the 2017’s solar eclipse. That means, people will easily be able to watch the spectacular moment in 2024!



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