Total Solar Eclipse 2024: A Celestial Spectacle Across North America
On April 8, 2024, North America experienced a total solar eclipse. While the entire continent, including Central America, witnessed a partial eclipse, only those situated within the narrow path of totality, which spanned across Mexico, 15 U.S. states, and Canada, were able to observe the complete coverage of the sun by the moon.
This event came after an annular eclipse in October 2023, which was visible in various U.S. states and countries in Central America.
During a total solar eclipse, the moon appears nearly the same size as the sun, completely blocking its disk for a few minutes. This unique phenomenon enables observers to witness the sun’s corona, the outer atmosphere, with the naked eye.
The size of the moon in the sky, and consequently its ability to cover the sun, varies depending on its distance from Earth, influenced by its elliptical orbit.
The total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, was visible across North and Central America, but only individuals within the path of totality could witness the fully eclipsed sun. The path stretched from Sinaloa, Mexico, to Newfoundland, Canada, with the longest duration of totality recorded as 4 minutes and 28 seconds in Nazas, Mexico.
