San Diegans will want to stop and look on April 8, 2024 (but not without their safety glasses). A total solar eclipse will darken a section of North America for the last time in 20 years, and San Diego will get to experience some of it.
The eclipse will darken Mexico first when the moon crosses in front of the sun in perfect alignment with the Earth. It will then cross into the United States through Texas, creating a dark path northeast of Maine. For other contiguous states not in the “path of totality,” such as San Diego, the partial solar eclipse will still be visible.
San Diego County would be one of the best places in California to experience this event. Another total solar eclipse will not be visible from the contiguous United States until August 23, 2044.
“From San Diego's vantage point, at maximum coverage about 55 percent of the sun will be covered, so there will still be a noticeable difference if you're lucky enough to view it through eclipse glasses or something safe,” Fleet Science magazine said. The center's resident astronomer, Lisa Weil.
Here's what to know about this cosmic event, including some happenings around the county.
Here's where to find free glasses for viewing the solar eclipse in San Diego County
What is a total solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, causing the Moon's shadow to fall on the Earth. There is a total solar eclipse, when the moon completely blocks the sun, and an annular solar eclipse, when the moon is farthest from Earth and does not completely block the sun. The last one was in October.
Stargazers in 15 states will get the full effect of the eclipse, plunging it into total darkness, while in San Diego, the moon will cross between Earth and the sun at an angle that blocks about 55% of the sun, creating a partial total solar eclipse. eclipse.
North America won't see a total eclipse again until 2033, but only in Alaska. The next one for the United States will not be until 2044, when the total eclipse will be limited to western Canada, Montana and North Dakota. There won't be another eclipse in the United States, extending from coast to coast, until 2045.
What is the path of the eclipse?
The “path of the total eclipse” will start in southwest Texas and move through Oklahoma, intersecting the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and New England, before exiting eastern Canada into the Atlantic Ocean.
The period of total eclipse refers to the time during a total eclipse when the Moon completely blocks the Sun. The duration of the total eclipse is usually short, lasting only a few minutes.
Fifteen US states will get a share of this event, although two of them – Tennessee and Michigan – will barely get a share. Among the exciting cities: Dallas; Little Rock, Arkansas; Indianapolis, Cleveland, Ohio; Buffalo, New York; and Montreal – making for the largest eclipse crowd on the continent. About 32 million people in the United States live within the 115-mile-wide total path.
Don't worry if you don't have front row seats. Virtually anyone on the continent can view at least a partial eclipse. The further we are from the path of the eclipse, the smaller the moon's bite from the sun. In Seattle and Portland, Oregon, as far away as is possible in the continental United States, a third of the sun will be swallowed.
NASA will also provide a live broadcast of the eclipse.
🌑When does the total eclipse begin?
The eclipse will begin in the United States at approximately 12:30 PM Central Time on April 8 when it moves into southwest Texas. For those in the path of totality — the part of the eclipse where the moon completely blocks the sun — there will be complete darkness for two and a half minutes.
Here in San Diego, the partial solar eclipse will begin at 10:03 a.m. PT when the Moon appears to be touching the edge of the Sun. The peak, when the moon is closest to the center of the sun, will be visible from San Diego at 11:11 a.m., and viewers will see the most exciting moments between 10:45 and 11:45 a.m., with the eclipse ending at 12:23 p.m. When the moon leaves the edge of the sun.
How to watch a solar eclipse safely
It is never safe to look directly at the sun, even if it is partially obscured. Anyone viewing the eclipse should wear special eclipse glasses at all times if they are facing the sun, or they should use An alternative, indirect methodNASA says.
Solar eclipse glasses “actually have a mylar layer that makes it safe to look through them and look at the sun,” Will said. “As much as we want you to go see the eclipse, make sure you do it safely. We just don't want you to hurt your eyes,” Will said.
Some San Diego locations are donating or selling solar eclipse glasses. For more information, click on the link below.
Here's where to find free glasses for viewing the solar eclipse in San Diego County
If you are viewing the eclipse through a telescope, you should have a solar filter attached.
You can also use projection by filtering sunlight through a small hole or aperture and then looking at the shadow of the sunlight on the floor or wall, Weil said.
Learn more about Eye safety during a solar eclipse on NASA's website.
Parts of North America were able to see a partial solar eclipse Thursday morning.
Are there any eclipse events?
If you can see the sun, you can see the eclipse, but don't forget your safety glasses, Will said.
Many locations across San Diego County also host free events and will hand out glasses or help you build your own viewing kit for the eclipse. Will herself will be at the Fleet Science Center for a viewing party. Here are some of the events happening in San Diego County:
Join the San Diego Fleet Science Center for a viewing party in the heart of Balboa Park (near the fountain) starting at 10 a.m. Scientists will be on hand to answer questions and teach guests how to make their own solar energy scenes. Guests can purchase two NASA 3-D eclipse lessons from the Fleet gift shop.
“It shows you how much the public actually cares about science, and I think the public just wants a place to go where they know they can get good information, and that's something we can do for them here at the Fleet Science Center,” Will said. .
Inside the museum, the Fleet's IMAX theater will show a live broadcast of the totality from the path of totality, as total darkness will fall over parts of the United States. Tickets must be purchased To experience this part of the event.
🌘 San Diego Public Libraries
Each of 37 San Diego Public Library locations A library spokesperson confirmed that the library has obtained a limited quantity of solar eclipse viewing glasses to distribute to the public.
Guests don't need a library card to obtain the glasses, but they are in short supply — and some branches may already be sold out. Guests will be limited to two pairs of glasses per household.
Several branches as well Host their own free events For driving before or during a total eclipse.
- In the Balboa Library On April 3, guests can create their own eclipse viewers from a cereal box for the event starting at 3:30 p.m.
- the Pacific Beach / Taylor Library They will be hosting their viewing party at Cass Street Plaza. There will be activities and spectators to participate.
- Let your children learn about the eclipse in a special story time at Mount Carmel Farm Branch Library on April 3.
- For a full list of events, click here.
On April 8, 2024, the total eclipse will be visible from the United States for the last time until 2045.
Why are eclipses so exciting?
“There's real interesting science you can do during an eclipse,” Will said. “Eclipses have been a subject of human interest for a long time. In particular, you can imagine what would happen if you felt like the sun disappeared for a few minutes and you weren't expecting it. Now that we can predict them, eclipses have been a subject of human interest for a long time. “It's less mysterious but still cool.”
“Extreme travel lover. Bacon fanatic. Troublemaker. Introvert. Passionate music fanatic.”
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