Carbondale, Illinois residents are about to witness a rare celestial event as they prepare for a total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Typically, such eclipses occur once every 375 years in a single location, but Carbondale is experiencing its second total eclipse in just seven years.
This upcoming eclipse is expected to last 4 minutes and 9 seconds, almost double the duration of the eclipse residents saw in 2017. With as many as 200,000 people flocking to prime viewing spots across southern Illinois, the event promises to be a remarkable spectacle.
Unlike the 2017 eclipse path that traversed less populated areas, the 2024 eclipse will cover major urban centers in the US such as Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, and Buffalo. This eclipse is projected to be the most populous in the US, allowing an estimated 31.5 million people to witness the phenomenon right from their homes.
NASA will conduct various experiments during the eclipse, including launching rockets into the Moon’s shadow to study its effects on the Earth’s atmosphere. Additionally, instrumented jet planes will chase the shadow to gather valuable data.
The eclipse will commence in the Pacific Ocean, then cross the Mexican coast and the US border before sweeping through 13 states. British scientists collaborating with NASA in Dallas will deploy instruments to study the Sun’s corona and its behavior during the eclipse.
Citizen research projects like Sunsketcher, Eclipse Soundscapes, Globe Observer, and Eclipse Megamovie offer an opportunity for individuals to contribute to scientific observations during the event. These projects aim to gather valuable data on various aspects of the eclipse.
As excitement builds for the 2024 total solar eclipse, NASA encourages everyone to observe the event safely and not look directly at the sun without proper protection. The next total solar eclipse to cross a significant portion of the US will not occur until the following year, making this event a special opportunity for all to experience the wonders of the universe.