The sun is going to once again vanish from sight in North America, causing a total solar eclipse and turning day into darkness.

The maximum event on April 8 will endure for 4 minutes and 28 seconds in the region of complete obscurity – double the duration of the 2017 total solar eclipse that darkened the skies of the United States.

This upcoming eclipse will follow a new and busier path, starting in Mexico’s Pacific coast, passing quickly through Texas and Oklahoma, and weaving its way through the Midwest, mid-Atlantic, and New England. It will finally exit over eastern Canada and reach the Atlantic Ocean.

Approximately 44 million individuals reside within the 115-mile-wide (185-kilometer-wide) path of totality, ranging from Mazatlán, Mexico to Newfoundland. Of those, an estimated 32 million are located in the United States, leading to highly congested roads as everyone clamors to witness this awe-inspiring celestial phenomenon.

NASA’s eclipse program manager Kelly Korreck stated that the upcoming eclipse provides the opportunity for many to experience the awe of the universe without having to travel long distances.

Learn more about the upcoming April event and how to get ready for it:

On a certain day, the moon will align precisely with the Earth and the sun, causing the sun’s light to be obscured. This will create a diagonal shadow that will pass from the southwest to the northeast of North America, resulting in a temporary darkness in the areas within the path.

Fifteen states in the United States will receive a portion of the profits, with only Tennessee and Michigan receiving smaller shares.

Some of the cities right in the middle of the excitement are Dallas, Little Rock in Arkansas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo in New York, and Montreal – leading to the largest crowd for the eclipse in the continent.

No need to worry if you don’t have first-row tickets. Nearly everyone in the region will be able to view at least a partial solar eclipse. The further away you are from the total eclipse path, the smaller the amount of the sun covered by the moon will be. For cities like Seattle and Portland, Oregon, which are located on the opposite coast of the continental US, about one-third of the sun will be obscured.

Luckily, the moon will be at its closest distance from Earth during the month, coinciding with the day before the total solar eclipse. This means the moon will only be 223,000 miles (360,000 kilometers) away on the day of the eclipse.

The moon’s closeness will cause it to seem larger in the sky, leading to an extended period of darkness due to the sun being blocked.

Additionally, on that day, the distance between the Earth, moon, and sun will be approximately 93 million miles (150 million kilometers), which is the average distance.

When a closer moon aligns with a farther sun, the total eclipse can occur for an impressive 7 1/2 minutes. The last occurrence of a total eclipse lasting over seven minutes was in 1973 in Africa. This phenomenon will not happen again until the year 2150 in the Pacific.

Regular sunglasses are not enough. It is important to use special eclipse glasses to safely watch the sun when the moon crosses in front of it in the late morning and afternoon. The glasses will cover the sun more and more, and then less and less, during the eclipse.

While the sun is fully obscured during totality, it is safe to view with your naked eyes without protective glasses. However, it is crucial to wear certified eclipse glasses before and after totality to prevent potential eye injuries. Be sure to check that the glasses are not scratched or damaged.

Special solar filters are necessary for safe viewing of the sun using cameras, binoculars, and telescopes. It is important to remember that proper protection should always be used when looking at the sun, regardless of the season.

Many cities along the path of totality are hosting star-themed events such as parties, festivals, races, yoga journeys, and drum gatherings. These activities will take place at various venues including museums, fairgrounds, parks, stadiums, wineries, breweries, and two unique locations: Ohio’s oldest drive-in movie theater and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

In addition to searching, you have the opportunity to participate in a “space prom” in Texas Hill Country, tie the knot at eclipse-inspired weddings in Tiffin, Ohio, and Russellville, Arkansas, or refresh your knowledge of moonwalking at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakononeta, Ohio – the birthplace of Neil Armstrong.

During the eclipse, NASA plans to send small rockets carrying scientific instruments into the upper atmosphere from Virginia and track the shadow of the total solar eclipse using high-altitude planes. Satellites and the crew aboard the International Space Station will also try to capture the event from space.

There will be many live broadcasts available for those who are unable to see the event due to clouds or being outside the designated viewing area.

Total solar eclipses happen every 1-3 years in remote locations such as the South Pacific or Antarctica. The following total solar eclipse is scheduled for 2026 and will be visible in the northern parts of Greenland, Iceland and Spain.

North America will not see a total solar eclipse until 2033, but Alaska will have exclusive viewing rights. After that, the next opportunity will be in 2044, but it will only be visible in Western Canada, Montana, and North Dakota.

There will not be another total solar eclipse visible across the entire United States until the year 2045. This upcoming eclipse will be visible from Northern California to Cape Canaveral, Florida.

According to NASA’s Korreck, it typically takes 400 to 1,000 years for the same spot to experience totality, with the exception of Carbondale, Illinois, which will be in the path of both the 2017 and 2024 eclipses.

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The Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group provides support to the Associated Press Health and Science Department. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Source: wral.com