Much of the United States will experience the astronomical wonder of a total solar eclipse on Monday.
The event will engulf millions of people as the daytime sun will be temporarily blocked by the moon, creating darkness during typical daylight hours. With the coming astronomical event, here is what to know.
What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse is when the moon’s orbit around the Earth lines up perfectly between the sun and the Earth, casting a shadow on the surface of the planet and temporarily engulfing the affected area in darkness while also partially blocking the sun for other parts of the planet.
The total solar eclipse, which will occur on Monday, is when the moon completely blocks the sun, according to NASA.
What parts of the country will get a total eclipse?
The total eclipse will traverse over the continent, starting in Mexico and going northeast through Dallas, before leaving the country through Buffalo, New York, and heading into Canada.
The eclipse will partially begin in Dallas, Texas, at 12:23 p.m. Central time and end at 3:02 p.m. Central time, with the totality occurring from 1:40 p.m. and 1:44 p.m. It will affect different parts of the country at different times, with the last major city affected domestically being Buffalo. The eclipse will partially begin in Buffalo at 2:04 p.m. Eastern time and end at 4:32 p.m. Eastern time, with the totality occurring from 3:18 p.m. and 3:22 p.m.
Washington, D.C., is not in the path of totality, but the eclipse will be partially visible in the nation’s Capital from 2:04 p.m. Eastern time to 4:32 p.m. Eastern time, according to the Smithsonian Institution. The maximum eclipse, when 87% of the sun will be covered by the moon, will occur at 3:20 p.m. Eastern time.
How can I safely view the eclipse?
As with any other day, looking directly at the sun without proper protection can cause damage to one’s vision. NASA advises that viewers of the eclipse should wear “solar viewing glasses,” which can be purchased or acquired at various locations.
For those under the path of totality, it is only safe to look at the sun without protection during the peak part of the eclipse, but experts advise that protection be used for the duration of the eclipse.
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When will the next eclipse be?
The next eclipse total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044, over parts of North Dakota and Montana, followed by an Aug. 12, 2045, eclipse, which will go from Florida and cross through Mississippi, Colorado, and Nevada, among other states, before leaving the U.S. over Northern California.
The most recent total solar eclipse over the U.S. was in August 2017, with the one prior to that happening over the U.S. in 1979.
