Special Feature: The Great American Eclipse of 2024!

"The Great American Eclipse of 2024"

By Rodrika Capellana, Contributing Writer

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will be visible from parts of North America and South America. It is the first total solar eclipse since 2017 and will be one of the most anticipated astronomical events of the year. This year, the moon passes entirely between Earth and the Sun, making a diamond ring in the sky. In Central Time, the total eclipse will occur from 1:48 pm to 3:46 pm, with the full eclipse visible for a total of about 4 minutes.

Total solar eclipses are rare, with most occurring in remote parts of the world, or lasting only a few seconds. The eclipse occurs when the Moon perfectly blocks the bright disk of the Sun, casting a shadow over Earth. It is a time of great awe and wonder, as the world darkens and the sky lights up with a dazzling display of celestial light. During a total solar eclipse, the whole sky turns dark as night, and the only light visible is from the solar corona, which forms a glowing ring around the eclipsed Sun.

This is what the Sun might look like during the moment of greatest eclipse in the Champaign-Urbana area, where the Sun will be 97.9% covered by the Moon. (Image Credit: Digital artwork created by the Editor.)

To witness a total solar eclipse is like seeing a piece of cosmic magic unfold in real time before your eyes. The experience of witnessing totality is an awe-inspiring and unforgettable one that leaves you in utter breathless and pure wonder. The darkness during totality, unlike anything on the Earth - it is unlike night or even a lunar eclipse or anything else we can experience on this planet.

Eclipses, especially those that are total or annular, are amazing to witness, and this one promises to be no exception. It is a truly breathtaking moment when the sky suddenly dims and the entire Sun is blocked out, leaving only the halo of the Sun's corona visible. The natural world responds accordingly, with many phenomena on Earth that occur only during an eclipse. This includes the strange chirping noises that birds make, and the behavior of animals who are unsettled by the sudden darkness.

At the moment totality occurs, the sky will suddenly turn dark, as if the Sun has disappeared. It is like the night sky, except it is surrounded by a brilliant ring of sunlight, making a surreal and otherworldly scene. During totality, you can safely remove your protective eclipse glasses and view the Sun's corona (outer atmosphere) with the naked eye. This moment is the highest point of the eclipse experience and is not to be missed.

This eclipse will be visible in a swath across North America from Mexico to Canada. So long as you are within that region and the sky is clear, you will be able to observe the solar eclipse. However, due to the angle of the Moon’s orbit around the Earth, there will be parts of the U.S. and Canada that will only experience a partial eclipse. In these areas, less than half of the Sun will be blocked by the Moon. But don’t worry, you’ll still be able to see a great show in the sky.

Eclipses always bring people together in a spirit of wonder and curiosity. The upcoming total solar eclipse promises to be a truly inspiring and unforgettable event that will leave everyone who witnesses it in awe and with a sense of wonder that will be hard to forget. So do not miss this rare and amazing opportunity to witness the total solar eclipse on April 8th. Make sure to pack your protective glasses and watch the sky at precisely 1:48 pm for the start of totality. Get ready to be amazed!

The Editor (at center, age 11) witnessed a partial solar eclipse on February 26, 1979, along with his classmates at Zion Lutheran School in Bethalto, Illinois. (Image Credit: Digital artwork created by the Editor.)