Everything You Need to Know to Safely View Total Solar Eclipse 2024

On April 8th, 2024 there will be a total solar eclipse viewable across North America, passing through the United States from Texas to Maine. A partial eclipse will be visible across all 48 contiguous states. 

Will you be observing this awesome celestial event? Did you catch the "Great American Solar Eclipse" in 2017? These total eclipses have been such a fantastic opportunity to bring so many of us together to observe a scientific phenomenon. I love it when we all have something science-related to get excited about! 

Find out here what happens during a solar eclipse, when and where to observe the solar eclipse in April, and most importantly, how to observe it safely.  

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What is a Solar Eclipse?

There are two types of eclipses, a lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and Moon, blocking the Sun's light and casting a shadow on the Moon. You probably have observed at least one of these in your lifetime. 

 

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun. In this case, the Moon blocks the Sun's light from reaching Earth. It is a little more rare that we are able to view a solar eclipse. 

The diagram below helps to illustrate these concepts. See how little of the Earth is in darkness during the solar eclipse on the top half of the diagram? This is why it is rare that we get a chance to see it. 

 

The Lunar Eclipse, in the bottom half of the diagram, is visible from any place on Earth that is facing the moon at that time. This is why it is easier to catch a glimpse of a lunar eclipse.  

 

How to View a Solar Eclipse Safely 

 

SAFETY FIRST! Whether you are in the path of totality for the next eclipse or will only see the sun partially obstructed, it is not safe to look directly at an eclipse! Just as looking at the sun can cause permanent damage to your retinas, so can looking at the sun during an eclipse. Regular sunglasses will not protect your eyes for this!

 

Solar Eclipse Glasses

 

There are several ways you can avoid damaging your precious eyes while eclipse viewing. You can purchase ISO 12312-2 certified solar eclipse glasses. Be cautious about your solar eclipse glasses purchase. Back in 2017 many counterfeit, unsafe glasses labeled with the ISO certification were on the market. Pretty icky stuff. Hopefully that is not the case this time around. Luckily, there are many companies that are well-known and trusted by the American Astronomical Society (AAS) as well as being certified safe. 

These are a few examples of AAS trusted solar eclipse glasses:

1. Celestron: EclipSmart Safe Solar Eclipse Glasses
2. American Paper Optics Eclipse Safety Glasses
3. Lunt Solar Eclipse Glasses
   

If you are a public school looking for funding for solar eclipse glasses you can apply for a grant here.

There is also an extensive list of safe companies to purchase glasses and filters from by the American Astronomical Society here.

Build a Pinhole Camera

 

Another safe way to view an eclipse is to find a way to project the image of the eclipse somewhere else. One method is to make a pinhole camera, or pinhole projector. There are many easy ways to DIY your own. You can use the instructions here to make one out of a cardboard box.

Build a solar eclipse projector with me! If you have kids ages 8-11 then they can join me for my online class on solar eclipses. We will learn all about eclipses as well as how to view this one. Then we will make a solar eclipse projector out of common household materials. 

 

Check out more details for my class on Outschool- Solar Eclipse Science: Build Your Own Solar Eclipse Projector! here. (Even better, you may be able to enroll for FREE with my referral code or at a discount with my coupon code. You will find the codes and details here.) 

When and Where to View Total Solar Eclipse 2024

 

On April 8th, 2024 the solar eclipse will pass over Mexico, the United States and Canada. The eclipse will reach Mexico's Pacific coast shortly after 11:00 AM, PDT. States in the U.S. that will experience a total eclipse include: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. 

 

You can learn more about the path and the timing for the total eclipse here on NASA's solar eclipse site.

 

You can also research when the eclipse will be arriving to your location on the Great American Eclipse site.

 

Even if you are not in the path of totality, you will witness a partial eclipse in any of the 48 contiguous states. It's sure to be a fascinating event! 

credit: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio

 

During the Solar Eclipse

 

During the total eclipse you will see the sky darken and it will seem like night time. The birds and other animals will stop making noise as if night has come. What a strange and beautiful experience!

Some people may witness the "diamond ring effect" which occurs just a few seconds before the Moon completely covers the Sun. For just a second there is a a ring shape and a flash of bright light on one side of it. Pink or reddish flickers are solar prominences, or little bursts of hot material that shoot out from the Sun.

If you will view a partial eclipse you will see the Moon's shadow pass over a portion of the Sun.

 

Water on Mars?!

With NASA's big announcement about evidence of water on Mars and this past weekend's Supermoon Eclipse, I just can't stop thinking about space! So what is the big deal about water on Mars? Haven't we been talking about evidence of water and ice on the red planet for the past few years?

This announcement is slightly different, but immensely more important. Evidence of ice, or water existing on Mars in the past has been common, but this time around the evidence is pointing to water intermittently flowing on the planet in present day.

In order to determine if there is life as we know it on other planets NASA scientists have followed evidence of water as their guide. Living things need water, so it stands to reason if you find water, you could also find life.

Mariner 9, launched in 1971, was the first to identify evidence of water on Mars when it transmitted images of riverbeds, canyons, erosion and fog back to Earth. Mariner 9 was the first artificial satellite of Mars, and photomapped 100% of the martian surface from 1971-1972. 

Scamander Vallis from Mariner 9. By Jim Secosky, NASA image.  [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The Viking program further revolutionized our thinking about water on the red planet. The Viking spacecraft were the first to land safely on the surface of Mars. Both Viking 1 and Viking 2 reached the planet in 1976. The two pairs of lander and orbiter systems collected scientific data and photographed the surface in addition to completing biological experiments aimed to determine whether their was life on Mars. In the process the Viking landers discovered many geological features that further indicated the presence of water historically on the planet, such as deep valleys and valley networks in addition to erosion on the bedrock.

Image from Viking program. By Jim Secosky, modified NASA image [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Investigation and evidence building toward the discovery of water on Mars continued throughout the next few decades with the Mars Global Surveyor (data on mineral composition), Mars Pathfinder (temperature readings and evidence of clouds and maybe fog), Mars Odyssey (evidence of vast regions of ice under the surface of Mars), Phoenix Mars Lander (confirmed evidence of water ice), Mars Rovers- Spirit and Opportunity, and finally the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (evidence of hot springs, heavy precipitation, and hydrated salts causing dark streaking).  

Frost at landing site. By Roel Van der Hoorn [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Mars Odyssey Image by Jim Secosky, modified NASA image. 

The announcement of present day water on Mars comes from data from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Spectrometer readings showed hydrated salts that coincide with streaking noticed on the surface. The concentration of salts would lower the freezing point of briny water so that it could flow as a liquid. This is the same principle in place on icy roads in the winter, salt lowers the freezing point of the water so that the road is not coated with a layer of ice. The dark streaking on the surface showed how the salty water flowed downhill during warmer temperatures, and the streaks lightened during cooler temperatures indicating that the flow has slowed or stopped. The liquid is most likely just under the surface and wicking to the surface causing the streaking patterns. This evidence led to NASA's big announcement about water on Mars.

This announcement is just another step towards NASA's Journey to Mars, a mission to send humans to Mars in the 2030's, a goal outlined in the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 and in the U.S. National Space Policy, also in 2010. 

Mars Streaks. By Jim Secosky modified NASA image [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

There are so many ways to use this historic announcement to raise interest in space education. NASA has a wealth of information and teaching resources that you will in the resources section below. You can also keep up with all things NASA at home or in the classroom with NASA TV, a live stream on YouTube.

Read more:

• NASA: "NASA Confirms Evidence that Liquid Water Flows on Today's Mars"
• NY Times: "Mars Shows Signs of Having Flowing Water, Possible Niches for Life, NASA Says"

Mars Books for Children: (affiliate links, click image for book info)

 

Resources:

• NASA's Journey to Mars
• NASA' Mars for Educators
• NASA Mars for Kids
• Current NASA Mars Missions
• How To Smile: The Best Science and Math Lessons and Activities on Mars 

(affiliate link)

New Horizons Flies By Pluto in Historic Event

Tomorrow, July 14th, 2015 marks an important event in space history. NASA's New Horizons spacecraft, the first to head to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, will flyby the dwarf planet, Pluto. Although you will not be able to watch the flyby itself, check out this simulation.

The New Horizons mission is exciting for many reasons. One is that this is the first time we will have a close look at Pluto. We'll study the dwarf planet more deeply than we have ever had the capability to before. Another is that we will learn more about the Kuiper Belt, a large area of debris similar in some ways to the asteroid belt, that holds relics from the formation of our solar system. The Kuiper Belt is where astronomers have discovered several dwarf planets. I personally think this mission is important because it gives our old friend Pluto some much needed attention after being demoted to dwarf planet. (Although, the reasoning for Pluto's classification change was sound!) There is still much to learn about this space object!

The New Horizons spacecraft launched back in January of 2006. It is carrying 9 special items with it, including some of the ashes of Clyde Tombaugh, who discovered Pluto in 1930. Other items include 2 state quarters, Florida to represent where the spacecraft launched, and Maryland to represent where New Horizons was built. For a full list of this special cargo and its significance visit this site.

This is a great time to get kids interested in space exploration. Check out the links below for some great sites for kids. You might also want to try out Google's free online Science Summer Camp- Space Week begins July 20th. 

To keep abreast of all the news from NASA's New Horizons Mission check out the links below!

Resources and activities: 

• NASA New Horizons' Mission Page
• Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory New Horizon's site
• Wired Magazine: "Watch: Here's What New Horizons' Pluto Flyby Will Look Like"
• Universe Today: "Did You Know There are 9 Secret Items on Pluto Mission New Horizons?"
• NASA Kids Club 
• NASA Kids- Solar System 101
• Sizing Up the Universe- Smithsonian Kids Activity
• Solar System in my Neighborhood Activity

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