SOLAR ECLIPSE _IN DETAIL 2024

What happens during a total solar eclipse?

While the Earth and moon both orbit the sun, the moon also circles the Earth each month.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly in front of the sun, completely obstructing its light on one side and casting a shadow across a small portion of the planet on the other.

The moon's orbit is shaped like a narrow "path" or track by the dark inner region of the shadow, called the "umbra." The regions where the total eclipse can be seen are those along this path that are directly under the shadow, particularly along its centerline.

This track is 16,000 km (10,000 miles) long and roughly 160 km (100 miles) wide.

"If it was a lunar eclipse, it would be visible to people all over the world for a few hours. However, total eclipses only occur along a particular path of the new moon, according to NASA eclipse ambassador Khady Adama Ndao.

Only during a new moon does this eclipse happen. And what causes a total eclipse is the moon's orbital position in relation to the sun, Earth, and all three at a particular moment in time.

During an eclipse, the moon will appear to be completely covered by Earth, but in actuality, the moon is 400 times smaller than the sun. The moon appears to be large enough to cover the sun during a total eclipse due to the increased distance between the moon and the sun.

On Monday, those who are not in the direct path of totality but are nearby may be able to see a partial eclipse. At that point, the moon only partially blocks the sun.

Areas from which a partial eclipse will be visible fall under faint parts of the moon’s wider shadow, called the “penumbra”.

What does a total eclipse look like?

During an eclipse, the moon will gradually block the sun, resulting in a dark sky, until it reaches the point of "totality." At that point, the sun will almost completely cover itself, leaving only the corona, or faint ring of light, visible.

The moon will move away after a few minutes, causing those in the path of totality to witness another partial eclipse. The sun will once more be fully visible.

What else happens during the moment of totality?

The temperature drops, and animals begin to act more like they are in the night.

Birds may start to change their chirping patterns, and nocturnal animals like owls and bats may begin to wake up and seek food.

It could also get easier to see stars and other celestial objects hanging in the dark sky.

A dark shadow would be visible passing over Earth if one were to stand on the moon or a space station orbiting the planet.

How long will the total solar eclipse last on April 8?

From the time the moon first covers the sun until it crosses over and stops doing so, a total solar eclipse can last anywhere from two to three hours.

But in most locations this year, the totality period will only last three and a half to four minutes.

The lengthiest duration of totality will occur in areas that are on or very near the centerline, while areas farther from the centerline will experience shorter durations of totality.

Monday's longest totality will last 4 minutes and 28 seconds, and it will happen close to Torreon, Mexico. This is due to the fact that the region is closest to both the umbral shadow's central line and the point at which its path is perpendicular to the surface of the Earth.

Totality has previously lasted anywhere from a few seconds to seven and a half minutes in some locations.

The Earth's curvature and the angle at which the moon's shadow strikes are two of the many reasons why the eclipse and the period of totality have different durations.

Applications for smartphones, like "Totality," track the start and end times of eclipses as well as the lengths of totality for various cities along the path of the total eclipse.