Achi news desk-
Guwahati: Astronomy enthusiasts around the world are eagerly watching a rare celestial spectacle, the total solar eclipse, scheduled to take place on Monday, April 8.
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Unfortunately, observers in India will miss the opportunity to witness the event as the eclipse will be visible in an area covering Polynesia (including Hawaii), most of North America (except Alaska), Central America, Greenland, Iceland, Azores, according to IMD and NASA.
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“On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States and Canada," This is what NASA said on its website.
“A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, completely blocking the surface of the Sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk," This is written on the official website of NASA.
The eclipse is expected to last several hours, offering enthusiasts a chance to experience this captivating event. The eclipse is scheduled to begin at 9:12 PM (IST) on April 8 and end at 2:22 AM on April 9.
However, viewers are cautioned against looking directly at the sun during the eclipse, as it can cause serious eye damage. To safely view the eclipse, stargazers must use special eye protection or safety equipment. In addition, it is essential to secure a special purpose solar filter over the front optics of telescopes, camera lenses or binoculars before attempting to view any part of the Sun.
For those who cannot see the eclipse in person, there are various options to watch it online via live streams.
NASA will provide multiple live streams of the eclipse, along with other platforms such as time and date, that will broadcast the event from places like Lano and Texas. Additionally, a team from the University of Maine will offer a live stream of the eclipse from the stratosphere.
During the eclipse, NASA plans to launch three rockets beyond the path of totality to study atmospheric changes. The live broadcast of these launches, accompanied by commentary, will be provided by the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia
