Total Solar Eclipse 2024: Millions across North America were treated to the spectacle of a total solar eclipse, as clouds parted just in time for many observers, as per an AP report.
A vast audience, comprising a couple hundred million residents living in or near the eclipse’s path, alongside numerous visitors from afar, witnessed the event, marking it as the largest eclipse audience ever on the continent. With the next coast-to-coast eclipse not due for another 21 years, the pressure was on to seize the opportunity to witness this rare phenomenon.
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Clouds Shadow Texas as Eclipse Sweeps Across Land
As the total solar eclipse commenced its diagonal journey across land, Texas found itself predominantly under clouds. The eclipse’s trajectory began along Mexico’s predominantly clear Pacific coast, traversing through Texas and 14 other U.S. states, before dissipating into the North Atlantic near Newfoundland.
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Leading up to Monday’s spectacle, northern New England and parts of Canada held the most promising prospects for clear skies, a forecast that held true throughout the event.
During the peak of Monday’s eclipse, the moon seamlessly obscured the sun, plunging the surroundings into twilight. Only the sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona, remained visible. The prolonged darkness prompted silence among birds and other wildlife, while planets and stars emerged in the sky.
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Swift Journey Across the Continent
In just 1 hour and 40 minutes, the moon’s shadow raced over 4,000 miles (6,500 km) across the continent, leaving a trail of awe and wonder in its wake.
The path of totality, spanning approximately 115 miles (185 km) wide, intersected several major cities including Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo, New York, and Montreal. An estimated 44 million individuals reside within the track, with several hundred million more located within a 200-mile (320-kilometer) radius.
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Historic Event Draws Enthusiastic Response, Expert Teams
“This may be the most viewed astronomical event in history,” remarked Teasel Muir-Harmony, curator at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, as she awaited the partial eclipse.
Experts from NASA and various universities stationed themselves along the eclipse’s path, deploying research rockets, and weather balloons, and conducting experiments to glean valuable insights from this extraordinary celestial event.
Take a look at the stunning images:
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(With inputs from AP, AFP and Reuters)
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Published: 09 Apr 2024, 10:09 AM IST