On April 8, 2024, a contiguous total solar eclipse will occur displaying a moment of complete darkness across North America lasting only three and half to four minutes. A total solar eclipse is when the moon directly aligns in front of the sun blocking it. To see a total solar eclipse, you have to be under the umbra, the small part of the shadow created when the moon passes in front of the sun. “We’ve had two [total solar eclipses] in the past ten years that have had umbras that have gone through the U.S., that’s pretty neat,” said astronomy teacher Megan Dygve. The eclipse that took place in 2023 was an annular solar eclipse occurred, which created a “ring-of-fire” in the sky. In both, a total solar eclipse and annular solar eclipse is when the moon aligns in front of the sun. The difference between the two is that during a total solar eclipse, the moon is closer to the Earth. “It’s very rare for the moon and the sun to align with each other and especially to be able to witness that in your lifetime is awesome,” commented senior Khushi Mudd.
Dubbed the Great North American Eclipse, it can be viewed by people in 48 states, 13 of which are in the direct path: Texas, Illinois, Oklahoma, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Arkansas, Missouri, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, and Indiana. “I think most of the U.S. except Alaska is able to see at least a part of it, so I feel like everyone will be able to witness it,” mentioned Mudd. Located in the central part of Indiana is the city of Greenfield
– the small city is directly along the path of the Great North American Eclipse. Within the downtown area, the population of 24,785 (2022 census) is holding many eclipse celebrations such as a viewing party at a local park in downtown Greenfield. “The fact that you’ll be able to see the total solar eclipse is pretty special because most of the time they’re [solar eclipses] going to happen over the ocean,” stated Dygve.
Dygve explained how total solar eclipses occur and the difference between them and annular solar eclipses. “A total solar eclipse just has to deal with how much of the sun gets blocked by the moon, so in the annular [solar eclipse] it’s a little bit less,” expressed Dygve. Solar eclipses happen during the new moon phase and we have a new moon approximately every month but the plane of the orbit around the Earth is slightly titled by about five degrees, so that’s why we don’t have solar eclipses all the time. There’s only going to be a couple of times when Earth is making it’s orbit around the sun that the moon is actually going to be in a position where it’s going to block the sun.”
According to an article written by FFX Now, eclipse glasses can be picked up at any Fairfax County Public Library – looking at a total eclipse requires these special glasses. Without using correct eye protection, one may get eclipse blindness, which is temporary blindness due to damage or burning of the retina. “In the annular solar eclipse, the disc of the moon isn’t as big in the sky but in the total solar eclipse it is, so if you were able to look with solar filter glasses during the total solar eclipse, you’re going to be able to see the corona, which is the outer layer of the atmosphere,” explained Dygve. “It almost looks like this diamond ring type of effect so that’s pretty cool.”
Though they occur often, the next time a total solar eclipse will able to be observed across North America won’t be for another 20 years. “The total solar eclipse on April 8 is really exciting because we won’t have another in North America til 2045,” shared Mudd. Robinson will be providing a telescope or two set outside for students and staff to observe the total solar eclipse from. “Fortunately this year, it’s going to happen during school and we have a telescope that has a solar filter so we will be outside watching it – providing that it’s not cloudy,” stated Megan Dygve. “There’s going to be an announcement for people to come and observe the eclipse. We’re going to set up our telescope outside and anyone who wants to come look at it can.”
Many companies took advantage of the solar eclipse by advertising special announcements and deals. For example, SunChips was taking part in the solar eclipse celebration. In a collaboration with Astronaut Kellie Gerardi, SunChips released a limited edition eclipse inspired chip flavor. The pineapple habanero and black bean spicy gouda flavor combo was only available for 4 minutes and 27 seconds beginning at 1:33 pm Central Time (CT) on April 8. Individuals over 18 years old can enter for a chance to win a bag and eclipse swag kit through their website: https://www.sunchipssolareclipse.com/. Krispy Kreme released the “Total Solar Eclipse Doughnut” in celebration of the Great North American Eclipse. It’s an original glazed doughnut topped with black chocolate icing, silver sprinkles, Oreo buttercreme, and lastly an Oreo cookie lasting while supplies last 8.
T-Mobile gave away free T-Mobile sunglasses and eclipse lenses on March 26 to T-Mobile customers through the T-Life app. The sunglasses and eclipse lenses are available until supplies last. A couple airlines have flights that will fly through the eclipse path along passengers to view the eclipse from 36,000 feet up; not a common viewpoint for viewing a total solar eclipse. Both United Airlines and Delta Air Lines are providing this rare opportunity. United had 11 flights and Delta Air Lines had seven flights available.
The Great North American Eclipse will be 2024’s first and only solar eclipse. The next total solar eclipses occurring across some of North America will take place on March 30, 2033 in Alaska and Aug. 23, 2044, across Canada and the U.S. Outside of the U.S., the next total solar eclipse happening will be on Aug. 12, 2026 – being visible from Greenland, Iceland, and Spain. A total solar eclipse is a rare, natural phenomenon and having the opportunity to see it is one not to pass up.