ALBAWABA - Does the space capture your interest? Regardless of what your answer is, you don't need to be someone who has a love for outer space to find a total solar eclipse an interesting event to witness. Now that we are in the year 2024, when will the first total solar eclipse take place?
April 8 is the date to keep an eye on, it should be when this phenomenon will take place. The moon will cover the sun as it moves from Mexico to the United States and up to Canada, creating a spectacular sight.
In Mexico, the United States, and Canada, the eclipse will look like the sun has disappeared completely, while in some parts of Europe, North America, South America, and the Arctic, it will look like a big bite has been taken out of the sun. Unfortunately, people in the Arab region won't be able to see it.
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The total eclipse is expected to last for around 5 hours and 10 minutes. But just what exactly is a total solar eclipse anyway? It happens when the moon moves between the sun and the Earth, blocking out the sun's light from certain areas on Earth.
Dr. Mohamed Shaaban, a researcher who knows a lot about space, explained that the alignment of the Earth, moon, and sun causes the moon to cast a shadow on the Earth. This makes the sun look like it's disappearing behind the moon, while also creating a stunning view.
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The best places to see a total eclipse are places where the moon happens to completely cover the sun, only showing the sun's corona, which tends to be invisible usually. Those outside the direct path will see a partial eclipse, where most of the sun hides but not all of it.
If you happen to be lucky enough to see the eclipse, remember to protect your eyes. Looking directly at the sun can be very harmful, so use special glasses designed for solar viewing. Using regular sunglasses, cameras, binoculars, or telescopes to watch without the right filters can still lead to problems.
