Washington, D.C., is gearing up for a spectacular celestial event that will capture the attention of millions of people in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. On April 8, a total solar eclipse will cast a shadow across a wide swath of these countries, offering a rare astronomical phenomenon that will last for just over four minutes and twenty-eight seconds, twice as long as the last occurrence in 2017.
This unique event occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light. Isolated eclipse enthusiasts in the path of totality will have the opportunity to witness the moon fully covering up the sun, resulting in a longer period of total darkness.
According to astronomy educator Shauna Edson from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the eclipse will take around 2.5 to three hours to reach its full effect. Notably, this phenomenon won’t happen again until 2044, making it a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many people.
Around 44 million people living in the 115-mile-wide path will experience the total darkness, with major U.S. cities such as Dallas, Indianapolis, Little Rock, Cleveland, and Buffalo directly in the path of totality. For those not in the path, they will still experience a partial eclipse, with the amount of visible sun increasing the farther they are from the path of totality.
Safety is a key point to note as well, as viewers should always look through a pair of specially designed glasses or solar telescopes to protect their eyes. At the same time, eclipse enthusiasts across the country are preparing for the big day with a wide variety of events planned to celebrate this celestial show. Whether it’s festival offerings, stargazing events, or hot air balloon rides, communities are coming together to mark this rare and captivating phenomenon.