This Month’s Total Solar Eclipse
Everything you need to know before April 8th.
First off… what is a total solar eclipse? A total solar eclipse is when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, blocking off the face of the sun completely and darkening the sky. You’d be surprised to know that eclipses are common – occurring two to three times a year – but are not always in the path of totality for most (unless you happen to be casually sailing the middle of the ocean). In any one place, a total solar eclipse is only visible every four hundred years… after this year’s eclipse on April 8th, the next total solar eclipse that will be visible from the United States will be in 2044. While all contiguous states in the U.S. will experience a partial solar eclipse, states like Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Main will be the ones with the best view of the “ring of fire.”
Safety
In VRE fashion, safety comes first when viewing a partial eclipse. If you plan on traveling to the neighboring states of New York or Pennsylvania, it’s only safe to view the eclipse without any protection when the moon completely obscures the sun’s face. So, if you’re anywhere in the DMV Region on April 8th, it’s critical to look on through safe solar viewing glasses or a handheld solar viewer. Regular sunglasses will not suffice, and the rays can burn cells in the retina.
For the Astrology Lovers & Believers
The eclipse isn’t just an opportune moment for celestial views but is also believed to be a moment for us to step into our fate and destiny. Eclipses are seen as times of revelation as they shake up the world and show us things. It might be thing we don’ want to see but must become aware of. Are there any Aries out there? The total solar eclipse in Aries – who carries the warrior energy – will show us all to face whatever truths we must with confidence.
Works Cited
AP News. "Solar eclipse can cause eye damage if you're not careful," AP News, 15 April 2024, https://apnews.com/article/total-solar-eclipse-eye-damage-eclipse-glassescb70dd4fc9caebfee4d61064bc5176b6.
CBS News. "Total solar eclipse in 2024 will be last chance to see one in the U.S. for 20 years, NASA says," CBS News, 20 April 2024, www.cbsnews.com/news/total-solar-eclipse-2024-lastchance-see-us-20-years-nasa/.
"Ring of Fire' solar eclipse is coming: How to watch this weekend," Good Morning America, https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/living/story/ring-fire-solar-eclipse-coming-watchweekend-103670133 . (Annular Solar Eclipse photo from Taiwan 2020)
NASA. "Eye Safety During Solar Eclipses." Science.nasa.gov, NASA, https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/safety/ (crowd using solar viewers photo)
NASA. "Solar and Lunar Eclipses Worldwide – 2024," NASA, https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/ .
National Solar Observatory. "Eclipse Map 2024," National Solar Observatory, https://nso.edu/for-public/eclipse-map-2024/ .
"New Moon Solar Eclipse April 2023: What You Need to Know," Yoga Journal, www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/astrology/solar-eclipse-new-moon-april-2023/.
Timeout. "These states are the best places to watch the 2024 solar eclipse," Timeout, 7 March 2024, www.timeout.com/usa/news/these-states-are-the-best-places-to-watch-the-2024-solareclipse-030724.