April 8 Total Solar Eclipse: Time, Duration, and Online Live Viewing Guide
A remarkable celestial event is poised to mesmerize observers as a total solar eclipse is poised to appear across North America on April 8, plunging daylight into darkness. While total eclipses are striking phenomena, they can only be observed from select areas. Hence, the chance to witness an eclipse is often described as a rare occurrence.
The 2024 total solar eclipse is set to take place on April 8, with totality spanning a 185-kilometer path through Mexico, the US, and Canada. This celestial event will be observable in 18 US states, but unfortunately not visible to observers in India.
The total solar eclipse is scheduled to commence at 9:12 pm IST on April 8, with totality starting at 10:08 pm and concluding on April 9 at 2:22 am. The Pacific coast of Mexico will witness totality first, approximately at 11:07 am PDT, and the eclipse will exit Maine around 1:30 pm PDT.
The entire event is anticipated to span around two and a half hours, but the moment of totality—when the moon completely obscures the sun—will only endure for about four minutes. According to NASA, this peak moment of totality is projected to last for up to 4 minutes and 27 seconds along the path of total darkness.
For safety during the eclipse, it’s crucial to shield your eyes from the intense brightness of the sun. This can be achieved by wearing proper protective eyewear, such as certified eclipse glasses, particularly during the partial phases of the eclipse. Failure to use protective gear could result in serious damage to the retinas, potentially leading to permanent blindness.
If you’re unable to witness the solar eclipse firsthand, you can still experience it through NASA’s live stream. The space agency will commence streaming on April 8th at 5:00 pm GMT (10:30 pm IST) and will continue until 8:00 pm GMT (1:30 am IST).
During the broadcast, NASA will feature discussions with specialists and offer telescope perspectives of the eclipse from various locations along its path. Additionally, you can tune into a live stream provided by the McDonald Observatory in Texas. The website timeanddate.com will also broadcast the total solar eclipse live on its YouTube channel beginning at 4:30pm GMT (10:00pm IST) on April 8th.
