He Eclipse solar of 2024which will take place on April 8, will make parts of Mexico, the United States and Canada live brief moments of darkness similar to that of dawn or twilight in the middle of the day. Known as a total solar eclipse, the natural phenomenon occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth and blocks the entire face of the sun. According to NASA, there will be no other visible solar eclipse from the United States adjacent to 2044, so it is even more important to see it. Here, AD It covers everything you need to know about the next event, including the 13 best cities to experience the eclipse.
What is a total solar eclipse?
There are several types of eclipses that offer different views of the sun or moon. As NASA explains, «a solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, projecting a shadow on the land that totally or partially blocks sunlight in some areas.» A total solar eclipse means that the moon will completely block the face of the sun, and if you are on the trajectory of the eclipse, you can see the solar crown and the outer atmosphere, if time allows. Other types of eclipses, such as the partial solar eclipse, occur when the moon covers only part of the sun, leading to a crescent form.
How to see a total solar eclipse safely?
Solar eclipses are not only special because of their relative rarity, but also because of the way they are observed. During the few minutes in which the moon completely blocks the sun – what is known as total eclipse – you can look directly at the sun without ocular protection. At any other time, including the hours before and after the totality, when a partial eclipse occurs, it is important to carry ocular protection, such as sunglasses for solar eclipses: «As soon as you see reappearing even if it is a bit of the bright sun after the whole, immediately put on the glasses for eclipses or use a solar hand viewer to look at the sun,» explains NASA.
How often, total eclipses of Sun?
Solar eclipses, of one type or another, occur between two and five times a year. Total eclipses occur approximately once every 18 months. However, this does not mean that one will be visible from his home so often. According to the Natural History Museum of London, you can see a total sun eclipse from anywhere once every 400 years. For example, the last total visible solar eclipse from the United States occurred in 2017 and followed a trajectory from Oregon to South Carolina. This year, the trajectory of the solar eclipse will begin in Texas and will move towards the Northeast, in the direction of Maine. The next total solar eclipse It will occur in 2026 and will be visible from the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain.