Los Angeles, California – Next week, parts of North America will experience a rare celestial event that won’t occur again for several decades. A total solar eclipse is scheduled for next Monday, the first of its kind since 2017, when the moon will completely obscure the sun.
This upcoming eclipse is expected to last longer than the one in 2017 due to the moon’s proximity to Earth—just 223,000 miles apart. The totality of the eclipse will be the longest over Mexico, lasting 4 minutes and 28 seconds, contrasting with just 1 1/2 minutes in Syracuse, N.Y.
Scheduled for April 8, this event marks the first total solar eclipse since August 2017, with the next one anticipated to occur in August 2044 in Montana and North Dakota. The eclipse’s path will cast a shadow over communities from the Southwest U.S. to the Northeast, traversing 15 states in total.
To safely view the eclipse, NASA is offering a livestream to the public. Watching the sun directly during the eclipse can cause “eclipse blindness,” as regular sunglasses do not provide sufficient protection. Special glasses with an ISO 12312-2 filter are recommended for viewing, and it is crucial to wear them during the partial solar eclipse.
During the brief totality period, when the moon fully covers the sun, it is safe to remove the glasses. However, once the moon shifts and unveils the sun, glasses should be worn again. For those using telescopes or camera lenses to view the eclipse, a special-purpose solar filter is advised by NASA.
Overall, the anticipation is high for this rare celestial event, captivating viewers across North America with its awe-inspiring display.