As parents, one of the most exciting educational opportunities we can share with our children is witnessing natural phenomena like a solar eclipse.
Totality Path
The path of totality, where the sun will be completely blocked by the moon, will stretch across parts of Mexico, the United States, and Canada. This path will start in Mexico and then move northeast across the United States, passing through states such as Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine before reaching Canada.
Cities like Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo, and Burlington will experience totality during this eclipse.
Partial Eclipse
Outside the path of totality, people across North America will still witness a partial solar eclipse. The extent of this partial eclipse depends on your location. For example:
- On the West Coast (California, Oregon, Washington), there will be a significant partial eclipse, with a substantial portion of the sun covered by the moon.
- In the Midwest (Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas), regions close to the path of totality will experience a near-total eclipse, with the sun almost completely obscured.
- On the East Coast (New York, Florida, Maine), residents will see a partial eclipse, with varying degrees of coverage depending on their specific location.
Major cities like Los Angeles, Denver, Atlanta, Miami, Toronto, and Mexico City will see a partial eclipse.
Visibility and Timing
The eclipse will begin in the morning on April 8, 2024, with the exact start time varying depending on your location. For example, in the Pacific Northwest, the eclipse will start around 8:30 AM PDT, while in the Midwest, it will begin around 11:30 AM CDT.
The peak of totality will occur around midday, lasting for a few minutes in the regions within the path of totality. The eclipse will then progress, with the moon gradually moving away from the sun, ending the event in the afternoon.
For specific times and details based on your location go to timeanddate.com/eclipse/map/2024-april-8.
- In Mexico, the eclipse will start in the late morning and progress towards totality.
- In the United States, the eclipse will occur during the afternoon hours, with the path of totality experiencing the complete eclipse for a few minutes.
- In Canada, areas within the path of totality will also witness the eclipse during the afternoon.
Eye Safety
It’s crucial to emphasize eye safety during a solar eclipse. Looking directly at the sun without proper eye protection can cause permanent eye damage. Encourage your children to use eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers certified to meet ISO 12312-2 safety standards. These glasses should be worn throughout the entire eclipse, even during the partial phases when the sun is partially covered by the moon.
Totality Experience
If you are within the path of totality, you will experience the awe-inspiring sight of the sun’s corona, the outermost layer of the sun’s atmosphere, as it becomes visible during totality. The sky may darken dramatically, stars may become visible, and animals may react to the sudden darkness.
This is the NASA livestream.
