By NewsBlogger A total solar eclipse occurred on Monday, captivating North America. The path of totality crossed over 44 million people and led to increased accommodation rates and travel delays.
At a glance
- A total solar eclipse occurred on Monday, captivating North America.
- Over 44 million people witnessed the eclipse, making it the largest gathering for an eclipse in North American history.
- Best viewing conditions were reported in Mexico and states like Vermont, Maine, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland.
- Accommodation rates in areas within the path of totality saw a significant increase.
- During the eclipse, NASA launched small rockets and chased totality’s shadow from high-altitude planes.
The details
On Monday, a total solar eclipse occurred, captivating North America as it plunged a stretch of the continent into darkness.
With a path of totality crossing over 44 million people, it became North American history’s largest gathering for an eclipse.
Almost everyone in the region was able to witness at least a partial eclipse, weather permitting.
The best viewing conditions were reported in Mexico and at the tail end of the eclipse in states such as Vermont, Maine, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland.
The “Eclipse Express” flight from London Heathrow to Montreal faced a 70-minute delay due to overrunning engineering work.
Montreal was the only destination in North America within the zone of totality for the eclipse, leading some eclipse chasers to make last-minute decisions on their viewing locations.
Accommodation rates in areas within the path of totality saw a significant increase, with some locations experiencing a more than threefold increase.
Passengers on scheduled flights from the UK to the US and Canada had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the eclipse.
The eclipse trajectory moved from the center of the US up to the northeast corner, affecting the timing of its visibility.
Mexico’s Pacific coast was among the first to experience the total solar eclipse.
On April 8, the Sun will disappear from the sky in the US before reappearing almost five minutes later during the total solar eclipse.
The event will be visible across North America, with an estimated 44 million people residing within the path of totality.
The total darkness is expected to last up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds, starting on the Pacific coast of Mexico and moving eastwards through the US and Canada.
Fifteen US states, including cities like Dallas, Indianapolis, and Montreal, will witness the eclipse, with towns hosting eclipse watch parties and events along the path.
NASA will launch small rockets and chase the totality’s shadow from high-altitude planes during the eclipse.
Special eclipse glasses are essential for safely observing the eclipse, with the moon’s closer proximity resulting in an extended period of totality.
Following the solar eclipse, online searches for terms related to eye damage surged in the US, prompting warnings from the government and optometrists about the risks of looking at the eclipse without proper eye protection.
Reports highlighted the potential for irreversible sight loss or impairment from direct sun exposure, emphasizing the importance of using approved eclipse glasses to safeguard one’s vision.
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| independent.co.uk |
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| – A total eclipse of the Sun occurred on Monday, plunging a stretch of North America into darkness – The eclipse was the biggest crowd ever in North America, with the path of totality crossing over 44 million people – Almost everyone in North America was guaranteed at least a partial eclipse, weather permitting – The best weather was seen in Mexico and at the tail end of the eclipse in Vermont and Maine, as well as New Brunswick and Newfoundland – Overrunning engineering work led to a 70-minute delay in the “Eclipse Express” flight from London Heathrow to Montreal – The Canadian city was the only destination in North America within the zone of totality for the eclipse – Some eclipse chasers waited until the last minute before choosing their destination – Accommodation rates have more than trebled in some locations within the zone of totality – Some lucky passengers on scheduled flights from the UK to the US and Canada may get a glimpse of the eclipse – The eclipse will move from the centre of the US up to the north east corner, affecting the timing – Mexico’s Pacific coast was likely the first to experience the total solar eclipse – The eclipse is an opportunity to share in the “wonder of the universe without going very far” according to Nasa |
| independent.co.uk |
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| – The Sun will disappear from the sky in the US on April 8, before reappearing almost five minutes later – The total solar eclipse on April 8 will be visible across North America – The total darkness during the eclipse will last up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds – The eclipse will start on the Pacific coast of Mexico and head up and east through the US and Canada – An estimated 44 million people live inside the path of totality, with 32 million in the US – Practically everyone on the continent can catch at least a partial eclipse – The moon will line up perfectly between the Earth and the sun, causing the eclipse – Fifteen US states will experience the eclipse, with cities like Dallas, Indianapolis, and Montreal in the path – The moon will be closer to Earth on eclipse day, resulting in a longer period of totality – Special eclipse glasses are crucial for safely observing the eclipse – Towns along the path of totality are hosting eclipse watch parties and events – NASA will launch small rockets and chase totality’s shadow from high-altitude planes during the eclipse – The next total solar eclipse in North America will be in 2026, with the next US eclipse in 2045 – It usually takes 400 to 1,000 years before totality returns to the same spot |
| independent.co.uk |
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| – Online searches for ‘blind’ and ‘eye damage’ surged in the US following the solar eclipse – People were urged to take safety measures to avoid permanently damaging their eyes while looking at the eclipse – Search trends from Google showed spikes in terms like ‘retina damage’, ‘eyes hurt’, ‘can’t see’, ‘blind’, and ‘eye damage’ after the eclipse – The US government issued warnings of the risks for anyone not wearing appropriate eye protection – People using binoculars or a telescope to watch the eclipse needed special filters to avoid severe eye injury – Nasa stated that the only safe time to look at the Sun without glasses or filter was during the total phase of a total solar eclipse – Views of the eclipse were best beneath the Sun’s path of totality in the north east where skies were clear – Most people searched for terms relating to eye damage in this region following the eclipse – Optometrists mentioned two main types of injury that can occur from looking directly at the Sun: solar keratitis and damage to nerve tissue – Both types of injury can cause potentially irreversible sight loss or impairment – Some reports suggested that even the use of eclipse glasses was not a guarantee of full eye protection – One retailer reportedly issued a warning to customers about unsafe eclipse glasses that did not have approval from the American Astronomical Society |
