by Dennis Schatz & Andrew Fraknoi, Astronomers/Educators
“On April 8, 2024, there will be a spectacular total eclipse of the Sun, visible on a narrow path that stretches from western Mexico through Texas, and then northeastward toward New York, New England and eastern Canada. In such a total eclipse, the Moon exactly covers the Sun, and our star’s faint atmosphere (the corona) becomes visible. Everyone else in North and Central America will see a partial eclipse of the Sun, with a bigger “bite” taken out of the Sun the closer you are to the path of the total eclipse. If you are on the path, when only a sliver of sunlight remains visible, your surroundings will begin to darken, as if the Sun were setting in the middle of the day. Temperatures will drop and birds will go to roost, thinking that night is coming. Finally, the Sun will be totally covered and the beautiful solar atmosphere (the corona) will become visible. Totality will last four minutes or less and then the Sun will slowly be uncovered.”
