2024 total solar eclipse: What will happen?

NASA has announced that the total solar eclipse will cross North America on April 8
A representational image. — Pixabay
A representational image. — Pixabay

People living in the United States of America are buzzing with excitement since the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced that a total solar eclipse will cross North America on April 8.

It should be noted that a total solar eclipse happens when the “moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun.”

While the people are excited about the astronomical events, experts have stressed the use of solar eclipse glasses to safely view the event.

According to the details shared by NASA, the eclipse's path of totality will begin around 1pm CT and, "the sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk" as the moon will briefly cover the sun entirely.

"Even though it’s a partial eclipse over Chicago, the skies are still going to get darker, with more than 90% of the sun getting covered," NBC 5 Meteorologist Kevin Jeanes said. "You’ll notice the crescent shape of the sun in all of the shadows and through your phone camera lens. It feels ominous but it’s a very exciting moment."

What will happen during total solar eclipse?

A video from the last solar eclipse witnessed in Nebraska in 2017 has recently resurfaced, showing the moon slowly covering 90% of the sun, leaving just a sliver visible.

The moon then moves away and the sun grows brighter again, like turning on a light bulb across the sky.

What makes this eclipse different form previous ones is the fact that it will last longer this time as the moon will take a little longer to move in its orbit across the face of the sun.

The next total solar eclipse won't take place in North America until August 2044.