A total solar eclipse will be visible in parts of North America on April 8, occurring during a new moon phase when it aligns between Earth and the Sun. This not only causes the eclipse but also means the Moon is in the daytime sky, eliminating nighttime moonlight.
The April 8 event, the first since 2017 and the last until 2033, offers an opportunity for totality-daytime darkness and a view of the sun's corona. To witness this, you must be within the 115-mile-wide path of totality, prompting questions about its nature, functioning, and ideal viewing locations.
Path of Totality for This Year's Total Solar Eclipse
The path of totality is the moon's shadow as it moves. This shadow, created by the moon's dark, cone-shaped central umbra, will traverse parts of North America, particularly in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada on April 8.
In Mexico, the total solar eclipse will be enjoyed by residents from Sinaloa, Nayarit, Durango, Chihuahua, and Coahuila. Meanwhile, the states in the US that will witness it include Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
For Canada, those in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland will also get to be part of the eclipse's path of totality.
Solar eclipse tracker Dan McGlaun explained that although the moon always casts a shadow, an eclipse becomes visible when this shadow traverses the Earth. Being within the shadow at a specific time allows observers to witness totality, and McGlaun's interactive map and simulator illustrate the expected eclipse views across numerous North American communities.
NASA has provided a table that outlines the start of totality in select U.S. cities within the path, with these regions encountering a partial eclipse before and after the specified durations.
Best Places To Stargaze the Total Solar Eclipse
The most sought-after locations for optimal viewing are International Dark Sky parks and reserves. These areas strictly regulate light pollution to encourage stargazing and safeguard the local environment.
Noteworthy International Dark Sky Places in the eclipse's path include South Llano River State Park, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Milton Reimers Ranch Park, UBarU Camp, and Retreat Center, and Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, all situated in the Texas Hill Country. Additionally, Geauga Observatory Park in Ohio falls within the eclipse path.
Other parks in proximity to the path, such as Middle Fork River Forest Preserve in Illinois, Dr. T.K. Lawless County Park in Michigan, Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania, and AMC Maine Woods in Maine, present alternative options for observers. While campgrounds in these areas may be fully booked for the eclipse nights, opportunities could arise a few days before or after the event.
For those seeking immediate insight into suitable stargazing locations within and near the path of totality, an interactive Google Map crafted by eclipse cartographer Xavier Jubier proves helpful.
By activating the "Night Sky Brightness" display, regions with dark nighttime skies become apparent, including Texas Hill Country, the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas, southeastern Missouri, the Adirondacks in northeastern New York, northern Maine, and Canada's New Brunswick and Newfoundland.
Although Texas boasts the highest probability of clear skies in April, eclipse enthusiasts are advised to prioritize locations with favorable weather conditions within the path. Renowned eclipse expert Dan McGlaun emphasizes that any spot within the path experiencing clear weather is the optimal choice for witnessing the sun's corona during totality.
RELATED ARTICLE: Total Solar Eclipse 2024: 10 Major Cities in North America in Path of Totality, Duration, and Potential Mass Travel Event
Check out more news and information on Solar Eclipse in Science Times.
