1. Why is important?
1.1. Today scientists still study eclipses to make new discoveries about the Sun, Earth and out space environment. Total solar eclipses are particularly important because they allow scientists to see a part of the Sun’s atmosphere (the corona) that’s too faint to see except when the bright light of the Sun is blocked.
1.1.1. This phenomenon also helps us learn many things about the thermonuclear reactions that take place in the core of every star where hydrogen atoms fuse to form an helium atom.
2. This is a total eclipse because happens when the Moon completely covers the Sun, and it can only take place when the Moon is near perigee, the point of the Moon’s orbit closest to Earth.
2.1. There are 3 other types of solar eclipses
2.1.1. Partial solar eclipses occur when the Moon only partially obscures the Sun’s disk
2.1.2. Annular solar eclipses take place when the Moon’s disk is not big enough to cover the entire disk of the Sun, and the Sun’s outer edges remain visible to form a ring of fire in the sky.
2.1.3. Hybrid solar eclipses (or annular-total eclipses) are the rarest type. They occur when the same eclipse changes from an annular to a total solar eclipse along the eclipse’s path.
3. The total solar eclipse of 2024 was an extraordinary celestial event that captivated observers in north America. This optical-astronomical phenomenon involved the Moon blocking the Sun’s light, creating moments of darkness on Earth.
3.1. When?
3.1.1. The total solar eclipse occured on April 8, 2024, at 18:18, which corresponds to 20:18 italian time
3.2. Visibility
3.2.1. Ufortunately, the eclipse was not visible from Italy. However, it was observed in varius parts of the world including Canada, Mexico, USA and some areas of central and south America.
3.3. Path of the eclipse
3.3.1. The Moon’s shadow crossed north America, providing over 33 milion people living in 15 US states with the rare sight of a completely eclipsed Sun.
3.4. Duration
3.4.1. The duration of the total eclipse varied depending on the location. For example in Torreon, Mexico, it lasted up to 4 minutes and 27 seconds.