The upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8 is anticipated to be the most significant astronomical occurrence of the year. Spanning a distance of 185 kilometers between Mexico, the US, and Canada, the phenomenon, known as totality, will cast the sky into darkness. Residents of 18 US states will be within the viewing range of this celestial event, although it will not be observable from India.
A total solar eclipse is the result of the Moon and the Sun aligning on the same plane, with the Moon positioned at a distance from Earth sufficient to obscure the Sun momentarily. Unlike partial solar eclipses, which are visible across broader regions, totality is typically confined to a narrower strip of land.
Scheduled to commence at 9:12 pm IST on April 8, reaching totality at 10:08 pm, and concluding at 2:22 am on April 9, 2024, the eclipse’s path will first touch the Pacific coast of Mexico around 11:07 am PDT before exiting Maine at approximately 1:30 pm PDT.
Here is a list of do’s and don’ts to follow during the solar eclipse:
- According to NASA, people need to carry specialised eye protection gear to view the Sun during this time.
- Regular sunglasses are not safe for viewing the eclipse. People are advised to wear safe solar viewing glasses or use a safe handheld solar viewer at all times.
- Do not look at the Sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer. This can cause eye injury, according to the space agency.
- Drive with your headlights on during the eclipse.
- Do not allow children to watch the solar eclipse without parental supervision.
- While clicking a picture, make sure you have a filter to protect your eyes and the device.
