A total solar eclipse will be seen in 2024 and there won't be another until 2044: This is how you can see it

The solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024, will be a total solar eclipse. According to NASA's website, this will be the last total solar eclipse that can be seen from the 48 contiguous states in the United States until 2044.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, completely blocking the sunlight and casting shadows on the Earth's surface. This amazing phenomenon only occurs in certain parts of the world and at specific times, as it depends on the precise alignment between the Sun, Earth, and Moon.

According to NASA, during a total solar eclipse, the Moon's shadow moves across the Earth's surface, creating a brief period of complete darkness in the affected area.

The stages of a total solar eclipse are divided into several distinct moments. It begins with the initial contact phase, known as “first contact,” when the Moon slowly begins to cover the disk of the Sun.

As the eclipse progresses, darkness deepens during the total eclipse phase, when the Sun is completely hidden behind the Moon, exposing the solar corona and allowing the brightest stars and planets to be seen in the sky. Finally, the eclipse concludes with a “last contact” phase, where the Moon gradually moves away from the Sun, and sunlight gradually reappears.

A total solar eclipse is one of the astronomical events that attracts the attention of observers around the world. However, due to its fleeting nature and the need for suitable weather conditions for clear observation, viewing a total solar eclipse can be a rare and special experience.

Astronomers and sky enthusiasts often travel great distances to put themselves in the path of a total eclipse and fully enjoy this unique celestial spectacle. If so, viewers will be able to temporarily remove their eclipse glasses. (They are not like regular sunglasses) during this event, according to NASA.

It should be noted that it is safe to remove eclipse glasses only during what is known as totality, which is the short period of time during which the Moon completely blocks the Sun.

What can be seen during a total solar eclipse depends on weather conditions and where you are viewing it from.

NASA warns that to see all phases of a total solar eclipse, you must observe it from somewhere along the band of totality: places on Earth where the Moon's shadow completely covers the Sun.The path of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 is shown in yellow.

Eclipse observers outside the path of totality can see a partial eclipse, where the Moon covers most of the Sun, but not all of it. Experts warn of the necessity of using eclipse glasses for the duration of the eclipse.