Rare Total Solar Eclipse Expected on April 8 Due to Increased Sun Activity, Says Solar Physicist
On April 8, sky gazers across the United States, Mexico, and Canada will witness a rare celestial event – a total solar eclipse. This particular eclipse is expected to be even more remarkable due to increased sun activity, according to a solar physicist. The sun’s heightened activity is a result of the approaching solar maximum, a phase in the sun’s 11-year cycle when it becomes exceptionally active.
During a solar maximum, the sun releases coronal mass ejections (CME), which are massive eruptions of magnetized plasma from its outer atmosphere. These CMEs cause geomagnetic storms, solar flares, and generate stunning auroras. Scott McIntosh, a solar physicist with the US National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), describes the upcoming eclipse as an “incredible” event due to the heightened sun activity.
While solar eclipses occur approximately twice a year somewhere on Earth, total solar eclipses are less frequent. A total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the view of the sun and resulting in momentary darkness. The April eclipse will be the last total solar eclipse visible in the US until 2044.
What makes this upcoming eclipse unique is its occurrence during the solar maximum. In 2017, the last total solar eclipse, the sun appeared smoother due to occurring near a solar minimum. However, this year’s eclipse will have a different appearance. McIntosh compares it to an “angry hedgehog” due to the spiky corona caused by the highly structured magnetic fields during a solar maximum. Additionally, the potential for observing solar flares or coronal mass ejections is significantly higher during a maximum total eclipse.
The path of totality for April’s total solar eclipse covers Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The eclipse will begin over the South Pacific Ocean and make its way to Mexico’s Pacific coast, where totality will occur around 11:07 a.m. PDT. From there, it will continue through several US states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan will also experience totality. The eclipse will further extend into parts of Canada.
People residing within the path of totality can expect to witness a partial eclipse before and after the period of totality. The timing of the total solar eclipse varies by location, but spectators can anticipate viewing the celestial event for over an hour, with the totality lasting several minutes.
Even if individuals do not reside within the path of totality, they can still witness a partial solar eclipse. NASA assures that 99 percent of people in the United States will be able to see either a partial or total eclipse from their location. Every contiguous US state, as well as parts of Alaska and Hawaii, will experience at least a partial solar eclipse.
During the period of totality, spectators may experience a drop in temperature. McIntosh mentions that during the 2017 total solar eclipse in Wyoming, there was a decrease of about 10 degrees Fahrenheit. He advises wearing eye protection before and after totality but suggests removing the glasses during the total eclipse to get a better view of the iconic glowing corona. McIntosh emphasizes that the corona is one million times fainter than the sun’s disk and that experiencing the ghostly colors and shimmering light without glasses is truly incredible.
The upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8 promises to be an extraordinary event for sky watchers across North America. With increased sun activity during this solar maximum, spectators can look forward to witnessing a unique and captivating celestial phenomenon. So mark your calendars and prepare to be awed by the wonders of the universe.