Tens of millions of people await the total solar eclipse in North America on April 8

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon is between the sun and the earth and casts darkness on our planet. The first place in North America to witness a total solar eclipse, when the moon covers 100% of the sun, will be Mazatlán in Sinaloa, Mexico starting at 11:07 a.m. MST, or at 0:07 p.m. /4 according to Vietnam time, and lasts for 4 minutes and 20 seconds.

The total eclipse will then pass over two more Mexican cities, Durango and Coahuila. Next, the path of the total solar eclipse will enter Texas before moving through 14 other US states and then Canada.

The difference in this eclipse is that the moon will obscure the sun for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds. If in previous times, the solar eclipse often took place in remote places around the world, this time it passed through big cities.

According to NASA, an estimated 31.6 million people live in the path of a total solar eclipse in the United States, compared to about 12 million people during the last total solar eclipse that passed through the US territory in August 2017.

According to AP, an estimated 44 million people live in the path of the total eclipse, with several hundred million more within 320 km of the partial eclipse.

This could be one of the most watched solar eclipses ever.

During a total solar eclipse, for locations within the path of totality, which includes a 185 km wide path across North America, observers will be able to see the moon covering 100% of the sun.

Eclipse enthusiasts are expected to flock to cities and towns along the strip of land that cuts from Mexico, into the United States and Canada.

For locations outside the path of a total solar eclipse, although a total solar eclipse is not visible, a partial solar eclipse can still be seen.

To safely observe a solar eclipse, you must use a sunlight filter. Even cameras, telescopes and binoculars will need a solar filter placed in front of the lens. Only people located in the area where the total solar eclipse takes place can briefly remove their glasses to see the sun's halo with the naked eye. Those observing the partial solar eclipse must wear glasses the entire time.

Astronomy lovers who cannot directly observe the eclipse can also watch it in full on NASA's online site.

The next total solar eclipse scheduled for 2026 will pass over the North Pole, Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean and northern Spain. The next solar eclipse in 2027 will also pass through Spain and North Africa, with a total duration of up to six and a half minutes.

North Americans will have to wait until 2033 to see another total solar eclipse, but only in Alaska. In 2044, Western Canada, Montana and North Dakota (USA) will see a solar eclipse. And in 2045, the US will once again experience a total solar eclipse from coast to coast.

Micah Soto

Update 07 April 2024