On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse crossed North America, going over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and the Earth, completely covering the Sun. This results in a period of darkness, which we experienced for about 4 minutes during the eclipse. Not only does the sky get darker, but the temperature also lowers. The temperature dropped by 10 degrees here in New Jersey.
A total solar eclipse is something many people are interested in viewing because, with proper eye protection, one can see a part of the Sun’s atmosphere called the corona. It is not very noticeable until the Sun’s light is blocked. Viewing the solar eclipse with proper eye protection made for a safe but beautiful experience since I could see the Moon blocking the Sun without worrying about eye damage. Many people traveled to Texas to get a better look since Texas is known for having the lowest cloud cover along the eclipse path during this time of year. We did get a stunning view here in New Jersey, though.
The last solar eclipse that crossed North America was on August 21, 2017, about seven years ago. The next solar eclipse that can be viewed in America will be in 20 years, on August 23, 2044.
If you missed this eclipse and want to see it instead of waiting 20 years for the next one, several upcoming eclipses are happening in different countries. On August 12, 2026, a solar eclipse will pass over the Arctic, Easter Greenland, Iceland, and Northern Spain, lasting 2 minutes. Another eclipse will happen on August 2, 2027, and will cross over Central America, the Mediterranean region, Egypt, and the Red Sea area. The duration for this one will be about 6 minutes.
As someone who had never looked at a solar eclipse before, I found it interesting and look forward to other upcoming eclipses. I recommend you find a way to see one yourself if you have the time and resources to get on a plane!
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