Millions of people will witness a total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024, with the path of totality covering much of Central and North America for the first time in more than 100 years.
But the solar eclipse will also be visible, albeit partially, in parts of Britain and Ireland on Monday.
Here’s everything you need to know about the rare astronomical phenomenon called the Great American Eclipse, including where to see it, how to watch it in Britain and what time it starts.
What is a solar eclipse?
During a solar eclipse, the moon moves between the Earth and the sun, preventing the sun’s rays from reaching the Earth. During a partial solar eclipse, the moon obscures only part of the sun, while during a total solar eclipse the sun is completely blocked by the moon, plunging the world into darkness and creating a ring of light (a corona) in the sky. Weather permitting, a significant swath of Central and North America will witness a total solar eclipse on April 8.
Solar eclipses are not as rare as you might think. Normally between two and four occur per year, but total solar eclipses are rarer.
When is the 2024 eclipse and how long will it last?
The solar eclipse will take place on Monday and will last a total of two hours, although at any point along the path of totality the spectacle will only last between one and four and a half minutes, depending on where you are. It will first be visible in Mazatlán, on Mexico’s Pacific coast, at 11:07 a.m. local time (7:07 p.m. UK time), while it will reach the entire US territory in San Antonio, Texas, at 1:33 p.m. local time (7:33 p.m. hours UK time). The event ends at 5.12pm local time (8.42pm UK time) in Newfoundland. The place in the United States that will experience the longest solar eclipse is at Radar Base, Texas, close to the Mexican border – here totality will last four minutes and 27 seconds.
Where are the best places to see the total solar eclipse?
The April 8 total solar eclipse will begin over the Pacific Ocean before passing over Mexico, the United States and Canada – the path of totality will be 185 miles wide, meaning many millions of people will be able to witness the spectacle. The US states that will experience the total solar eclipse include Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, while small parts of Tennessee and Michigan will also experience the eclipse will experience. embezzlement. The total solar eclipse will also be visible in Canada in Southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton.
The major North American cities falling in the path of totality are Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Buffalo, plus Hamilton and Montreal in Canada. Places close to the path of totality may still witness a partial solar eclipse, where part of the Sun is covered by the moon’s shadow.
Will the solar eclipse be visible from Britain?
The total solar eclipse will not be visible in Britain, although parts of western Britain and Ireland may see a partial solar eclipse just before sunset on Monday. Parts of Britain with potential views include Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds. This partial solar eclipse will last between 7:52 PM and 8:51 PM.
Belmullet, Ireland, will see 44 percent of the sun eclipsed, while Dublin will experience a 15 percent partial solar eclipse. On British soil, Belfast will experience a 17.3 percent solar eclipse, Glasgow 11.2 percent, while Liverpool will experience just 0.64 percent of the partial solar eclipse. To see it, you must have a clear view to the west and wear suitable UV goggles to avoid damage to your eyes.
When was the last total solar eclipse in Britain?
The last total solar eclipse in Britain was in 1999; However, many parts of Western Europe were affected by poor visibility due to cloud cover. People gathering to watch the Lizard and Perranporth eclipse in Cornwall experienced the whole thing as the clouds briefly broke.
When is the next total solar eclipse in Britain?
The next total solar eclipse in Britain will occur on September 23, 2090. The totality will be visible in Newquay, Plymouth, Southampton, Isle of Wight, as well as parts of northern France (including Paris) and southern Belgium. The next total solar eclipse in the US will occur in 2033, but only over Alaska, followed by another in 2044.
Can I watch the solar eclipse online?
The event will be streamed live by NASA, featuring expert talks and close-ups of the cosmic phenomenon. The stream will start at 6pm UK time and end three hours later. You can view this on NASA’s website. There will also be live coverage of the event on the BBC website.
What is the weather forecast for the solar eclipse?
Given that the event will cover many hundreds of kilometers, from Mexico to Canada, weather forecasts will vary widely along the route. The Washington Post has a good tool that shows the forecast of cloud cover over the entire path of totality. Based on historical weather patterns, the southern U.S. states and Mexico will likely experience less cloud cover. In Britain, the weather forecast is currently cloudy and rainy in western areas where the partial eclipse could be visible.
What actually happens during a solar eclipse?
During a total solar eclipse, everything becomes dark for a few minutes in clear weather. Temperatures will drop, street lights may come on and birds often behave unusually. Sunbeams appear as crescent moons. If you hold up a colander, small crescent-shaped shadows appear on the ground. Some stars will become visible, plus planets including Venus (the brightest), as well as Jupiter, Mars and Saturn.
How can I watch the solar eclipse safely?
It is dangerous to look directly at the sun with the naked eye; this can lead to permanent eye damage. It is recommended that anyone viewing the solar eclipse do so wearing special solar eclipse glasses with a UV filter. The American Astronomical Society has published a list of authorized suppliers.