06/04/2024
SOLAR ECLIPSE OF APRIL 8, 2024
The 2024 Total Solar Eclipse, dubbed 'The Great North American Eclipse' by some media, will take place at the Moon's ascending node on Monday, April 8, 2024.
A Solar Eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, thereby obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on the Earth. It becomes 'total' when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, thereby blocking all direct sunlight and turning daylight into darkness. It occurs only across a narrow path on the surface; but with a partial Eclipse being visible over a surrounding region of thousands of kilometres.
The April 8, 2024 Eclipse will be total over some parts of Mexico, USA and southern part of Canada.
It will be witnessed 'partially' around South America, The Carribbean, Oceania and western part of Europe including the United Kingdom.
The longest duration of totality will be about 4 minutes 28 seconds around northern Mexico.
It will be accompanied by cloud cover and precipitation in form of rain and snow.
It will have no significant impact on the use of the atmosphere including air flights.
A final Solar Eclipse for the year will occur in about six months time on October 2, 2024.
Compilation:
Soneye.
Professor of Geography,
UNILAG, Lagos.