On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse is set to captivate audiences across North America, marking a significant astronomical event where the Moon will completely obscure the Sun. This phenomenon will create a path of totality stretching from Mexico through parts of the United States and into Canada, affecting cities such as Dallas, Texas, and Montreal, Canada. An estimated 44 million people within this 115-mile-wide route are poised to experience the eclipse’s totality, wherein they will witness a brief period of daytime darkness lasting up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds.

In contrast, the United Kingdom and Ireland will not witness the total eclipse but will have the opportunity to observe a partial solar eclipse near sunset. Cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, and Liverpool will see varying degrees of the Sun being obscured, with visibility percentages ranging from 6% in Edinburgh to 28.1% in Belfast.

For safe viewing of the eclipse, individuals are advised to use special solar eclipse glasses or employ the pinhole projection method to avoid direct eye exposure to the Sun. This guidance comes amid preparations by communities along the eclipse path in North America, organizing events that encompass star parties, festivals, and themed weddings to celebrate this rare celestial occasion.

The significance of the 2024 eclipse is further underscored by its extended duration of totality, attributed to the Moon’s close proximity to the Earth during the event. This proximity enhances the visual and experiential aspects of the eclipse, making it particularly noteworthy. Indeed, total solar eclipses are relatively rare, occurring globally only two to five times yearly. The next total solar eclipse visible from the UK is not expected until September 2090, highlighting the uniqueness of the 2024 event.

NASA’s involvement includes launching scientific instruments on rockets into the upper atmosphere to study the eclipse, while observations will also be made from satellites and the International Space Station. The agency has also released a map detailing the eclipse’s path of totality, revealing that the eclipse will commence over the South Pacific Ocean before making its way across North America.

Following the 2024 event, the next total solar eclipse is anticipated in 2026, crossing Greenland, Iceland, and Spain, with North America expecting its next total eclipses in 2033 and 2045.