Everyone’s talking about the solar eclipse that will be occurring on April 8, 2024, but you may ask, “why is it such a big deal?” Without getting too technical, this blog contains some basic eclipse facts. You can find great information on eclipses all over the internet, but I’ve used just a few for this blog post. The list I used appears at the bottom of this post.
What is an Eclipse?
An eclipse happens when a planet or moon blocks the light of the Sun. Here on Earth, eclipses are typically divided into two types: solar and lunar.
Lunar eclipses occur when Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Earth to cast a shadow on the Moon.
Solar eclipses occur when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, causing the Moon to cast a moving shadow on Earth’s surface.
For detailed information about the types of eclipses, including annular eclipses, you can visit NASA’s “Types of Solar Eclipses” page. (This page also has a very informative video on why the moon appears red at times, which I found interesting.)
How Long Does an Eclipse Last?
A total lunar eclipse can last as long as an hour and three-quarters, but the maximum duration for a total solar eclipse is only 7 ½ minutes (Britannica, Frequency). The scientific reasons have to do with the Moon’s diameter, its distance from the Earth, and of course, its path. You can read all about the science of eclipses at this Britannica.com page.
How Often Does the Earth Experience an Eclipse?
Total solar eclipses take place somewhere on the planet about every 18 months or so, but the average frequency of the event for any random point on the planet is roughly once in almost 400 years! Across the planet, however, solar eclipses are actually more frequent than lunar ones. For example, total and annular eclipses occur every five or six months. Lunar eclipses, by contrast, happen about once per year at any given location on the planet. Nevertheless, since solar eclipses can be seen from only a very limited region of Earth at a time and lunar eclipses can be seen by an entire hemisphere, solar eclipses may seem less frequent. (Britannica, Difference)
So, What’s the Big Deal?
You may be wondering “if eclipses happen multiple times throughout a year, what’s the big deal about this eclipse.” True, eclipses are not uncommon. However, they do appear randomly around the globe. Any point on Earth may, on the average, experience no more than one total solar eclipse in three to four centuries! (Britannica, Prediction).
When is the Next Eclipse?
April 8, 2024, is the next solar eclipse when you can witness totality in North America. Totality is the term used by NASA to describe the maximum phase of a total eclipse during which the Moon’s disk completely covers the sun. This phase can last from a fraction of a second to a maximum of 7 minutes 32 seconds.
Subsequent eclipses will occur in Spain in 2026, North Africa in 2027, Australia and New Zealand in 2028, and Africa and Australia in 2030. There will not be another total solar eclipse visible in North America until 2044 when Canada and Montana will experience totality. In 2045, another eclipse will cross North and South America.
Where Can I Experience Totality?
The best place to view a total solar eclipse is along the path of totality. In 2024, that path will travel from Mexico to Texas and continue up the continental United States to Maine. Our 150-acre farm is almost directly in the middle of that path of totality!
Naturally, eclipse chasers from all over the world will be searching for locations at which to camp and view this awesome miracle of nature. Point Remove Events will not only be providing camp sites and day passes but will offer five days’ worth of activities to enjoy during your stay. Head over to our camping packages page to find the accommodations that will help you make this awesome show of nature a memory that will last a lifetime.
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My Sources
Britannica, Difference. https://www.britannica.com/story/how-do-you-tell-the-difference-between-total-annular-solar-and-lunar-eclipses
Britannica, Frequency. https://www.britannica.com/science/eclipse/The-frequency-of-solar-and-lunar-eclipses
Britannica, Prediction. https://www.britannica.com/science/eclipse/Prediction-and-calculation-of-solar-and-lunar-eclipses
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