The last solar eclipse in the United States occured on Monday, August, 21, 2017, and now it`s happening again. A total eclipse will take place on Monday, April 8, 2024, visible across North America, and dubbed the Great North American Eclipse by some media.
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the sun, thereby obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. Parts of North America will go dark on Monday because the total solar eclipse will pass overhead.
Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun`s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing.
Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.
The 2024 Total Solar Eclipse is different than the 2017 Eclipse. Seven years ago, the longest period of totality was experienced near Carbonadal, Illinois, at 2 minutes, 42 seconds. For the upcoming eclipse, totality will last up to 4 minutes, 28 seconds, in an area about 25 minutes northwest of Torreôn, Mexico.
In 2017, an estimated 215 million U.S. Adults (88% of U.S. Adults) viewed the solar eclipse, either directly or electronically. Experts claim that everyone should see at least one in their life, because they`re just so spectacular. They are emotion-evoking natural events.
If you go to Texas on Monday, you will probably meet other people who like to see the total eclipse as well. But one fun part of experiencing an eclipse can be watching the people around you. They may yell, they scream, they cry, they hug each other, and that`s because it`s such an amazingly beautiful event.
Two planets, and maybe a comet could also be spotted. Venus will be visible 15 degrees west-southwest of the sun 10 minutes before totality, according to Astrnonmy. Jupiter will also appear 30 degrees to the east-northeast of the sun during totality, or perhaps a few minutes before. Venus is expected to shine more than five times as bright as Jupiter.
But another celestrial object that may be visible is Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, about six degrees to the right of Jupiter. With its distinctive circular cloud of gas, and a long tail, has been really putting on a great show in the sky, ahead of the eclipse.
For various reasons, occurrences like this also attract eccentric notions and outlandish conspiracies. One of them suggests that the eclipse will trigger a massive human sacrifice. People will supposedly be drawn into a black hole. Many Christians have stockpiled food and opt to remain at home on Monday.
Other bizarre theories allege that “elites” will exploit the eclipse to manipulate humanity, influence the presidential election, and control everything imaginable.
Only in America could a total solar eclipse herald the apocalypse and simultaneously impact an election. Nearly every generation believes they are witnessing the end of days. Perhaps we are. However, there’s no definitive way to ascertain if we are hurtling towards Armageddon or merely encountering a darkened sky for a brief moment.
The rarity and nearly inconceivable nature of events like a total solar eclipse leave human beings feeling insignificant, vulnerable, and somewhat apprehensive of the unknown. Without the sun, our sole source of natural light, warmth, and energy, could something catastrophic occur? If so, what? Would we be able to cope? Are we adequately prepared?
We suddenly come to realize that we aren’t in complete control of everything. This is why certain individuals begin embracing outlandish theories and scenarios of apocalypse.
The next total eclipse in the U.S. won`t happen until March 30, 2033, when totality will reportedly only across parts of Alaska. The next eclipse in the 48 contiguous states is expected to occur on August, 12, 2044, with parts of Montana and North Dakota experiencing totality.
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