Today, Monday, April 8, stargazers across much of North and Central America will have the opportunity to see the Moon pass in front of and cover the Sun during a total solar eclipse.
They will also have the rare opportunity to see four planets and a comet in the daytime sky. This rare phenomenon promises to offer astronomers and scientists the opportunity to observe multiple celestial objects in a single event.
During the eclipse the sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk, and viewers will have the opportunity to observe the Sun's corona, the Sun's outer atmosphere. This phase can last up to four minutes. Outside the path of totality, they will have a chance to see a partial solar eclipse. The moon doesn't suddenly appear between the Earth and the sun – the event begins with a partial eclipse, making the sun look like a crescent moon. Depending on your location, the partial eclipse could last anywhere from 70 to 80 minutes, according to NASA .
The total eclipse will be visible to millions of people in parts of North America, Mexico and Canada, however, forecasters are predicting cloud cover in northern Mexico, Texas and parts of the Great Lakes region. Better weather is expected in western Mexico and parts of the US Midwest, with clear spring skies likely in New England and Canada.
At Starry Night RV Park in Fort Worth, onlookers parked their cars to watch the big moment.
Those watching the eclipse will need special glasses to view some stages of the eclipse. Experts advise that regular sunglasses won't do, and looking at the sun, even through a camera or smartphone, can damage the eyes in seconds.
Special events are also planned in the cities where it will be visible. Nasa and its partner organizations organize over 100 events.
It is noted that the next total solar eclipse is expected on August 12, 2024 and will be visible from Iceland, Portugal, Russia and Spain.
Source: skai.gr