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The first solar eclipse of 2024 is all set to darken the skies on April 8. This particular event will be a total solar eclipse, a rare occurrence on Earth. After this event, the next total solar eclipse in the same region will not be seen for two more decades. A total solar eclipse of similar impact is expected in 2044. This event will mainly be visible in North America, including Mexico, the US, and Canada. While a few more territories will observe it partially, the rest of the world cannot see it directly. Here’s everything you need to know about the latest solar eclipse, along with a list of all upcoming solar eclipses and more.

What is a Solar Eclipse?

A solar eclipse is an astronomical phenomenon where the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun and blocks the Sun’s light either entirely or partially. These events are infrequent and occasional since the Moon needs to be in the same plane as the Sun and the Earth, which does not always happen. Even when an alignment does occur, it is more likely to be partial than full. This is the reason why total solar eclipses are so rare.

On average, the Earth can get between two to five solar eclipses in a year. However, most of these are partial eclipses and are not very noticeable. Total eclipses are dramatic and turn the sky dark, but they are only visible from a few locations. This is why the opportunity to experience an eclipse is often called a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Different Types of Solar Eclipses

There are three types of solar eclipses. A solar eclipse can be defined as partial, total, or annular, depending on the Moon’s position. Here are the full details:

Partial solar eclipse: A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Moon partially covers the Sun, but some of the Sun’s light can still reach the Earth. When a partial solar eclipse occurs, a portion of the Sun appears to have vanished. It can be observed in a larger area.

Total solar eclipse: A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon and the Sun are on the same plane, and the Moon is at such a distance from the Earth that it covers the Sun for a brief period. Unlike a partial solar eclipse, it is usually visible from a smaller strip of land.

Annular solar eclipse: Finally, during an annular solar eclipse, the Moon is placed far away from the Earth and is unable to cover the Sun entirely. At the peak of this solar eclipse, the Moon covers the central portion of the Sun, and only a ring of light can be seen from the Earth.

Total Solar Eclipse 2024: Date, Time, and Place

The total solar eclipse of 2024 will occur on April 8. The total darkening of the sky, also known as totality, will be visible across a 185-kilometre stretch between Mexico, the US, and Canada. It will start on Mexico’s Pacific coast at 11:07am PDT, and the eclipse will end on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16pm NDT. As many as 18 different US States will also get to see it.

The total solar eclipse will not be visible from India. It will begin at 9:12 pm IST, a few hours after the Sun is set. Totality will start at 10:08pm IST, and the eclipse will end at 2:22am IST on April 9.

Total Solar Eclipse 2024: How to Watch it Live Online

While people in India and other countries, excluding North America, cannot physically witness the total solar eclipse, astronomy enthusiasts can still follow it online. There will be multiple live streams covering this rare celestial event. NASA will start its live stream on April 8 at 5:00pm GMT (10:30pm IST) and continue until 8:00pm GMT (1:30am IST). You can watch the stream here.

Skywatching website timeanddate.com will also live stream the total solar eclipse on its YouTube channel starting at 4:30pm GMT (10:00pm IST) on April 8. The stream will provide real-time updates and background information as well.

Finally, the University of Maine will send a high-altitude science balloon into the sky and live stream a view of the total solar eclipse from the stratosphere. It can be watched here on April 8, starting at noon GMT (5:30pm IST).

Total Solar Eclipse 2024: List of Countries to Watch the Celestial Event

The total solar eclipse of 2024 will only be visible in some parts of Mexico, the US, and Canada.

List of Upcoming Solar Eclipse

According to data from timeanddate.com, the following solar eclipses are expected to be observed from the Earth.

Date Type Location
April 8, 2024 Total North America
October 2, 2024 Annular North and South America
March 29, 2025 Partial Europe, North Asia, North and West Africa
September 29, 2025 Partial South Australia
February 17, 2026 Annular Southern Africa, South America
August 12, 2026 Total Europe, North Asia
February 6, 2027 Annular Africa, South America
August 2, 2027 Total Europe, South Asia

Things to Remember to View Upcoming Solar Eclipse Safely

While it is never recommended to look directly at the Sun since its intense brightness and harmful ultraviolet radiation can cause permanent damage to the unaided eye, this becomes even more important during a solar eclipse. Darkened skies can create a false impression that the Sun’s intensity is reduced and that it is safe to look at it; however, any escaping sunlight will cause the same amount of damage to the eye. This is why precautions must always be taken before viewing a solar eclipse event.

1. People should use safe solar viewing glasses when watching a solar eclipse directly.

2. Regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe to look at the Sun directly.

3. Binoculars, camera lenses, telescopes, or any other optical devices should not be used with solar viewing glasses, as concentrated solar rays can burn through the filter.

4. Proper solar filters should be added to optical devices before viewing the Sun through them.

5. If solar glasses are unavailable, people can opt for indirect viewing of the solar eclipse. NASA highlighted the pinhole projector method, where a small hole punched into an index card can project an image of the Sun on a surface through which the eclipse can be seen.

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Astronomers Detect Methane in the Atmosphere of the Nearest T Dwarf Star to Earth

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April 12, 2025

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Astronomers Detect Methane in the Atmosphere of the Nearest T Dwarf Star to Earth

The scientists have found methane in the atmosphere of WISEA J181006.18 −101000.5, the T dwarf closest to Earth. The study was published in the online preprint journal arXiv on March 28, and the final, revised version was published on November 17. The WISE1810 is a metal-poor T dwarf planet, which is situated at a distance of 29 light years from the Earth. The effective temperature of the dwarf is reported to be within the range of 800–1,300 K.

Methane Signature Surprises Astronomers

According to a Phys.org report, the finding is made greatly possible by the present 10.4-m Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC). The detection of methane in the atmosphere of the dwarf planet has further made its classification as T-type instead of L-type, which was earlier suggested in previous studies, the publication notes. The study further reveal that there are no traces of carbon monoxide and potassium in the atmosphere of the WISE1810. 

The study further highlights that the carbon abundance in the planet is estimated to be -1.5 dex, while the effective temperature could be around 1,000 K. The author of the paper further revealed that the low metallicity of the T dwarf planet could be due to the non-detection of atomic potassium. However, a lower temperature could also boost this effect, the report further highlights. The study also found that WISE1810 has a heliocentric velocity of -83 km/s. 

The 10.4-m Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) supplies a significant contribution to finishing WISEA J181006.18−101000 observations. Interestingly, the previous observations of the dwarf platent suggested that the atmosphere of the dwarf planet was dominated by hydrogen and water vapour. Moreover, the study further reveals that findings indicates WISE1810 could more likely to be associated with the Milky Way’s thick disk, despite its very low metallicity.

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Scientists Finally Discover How Long a Day Lasts on Uranus

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April 12, 2025

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Scientists Finally Discover How Long a Day Lasts on Uranus

Scientists have finally found how about Uranus day length using the most recent analysis of a decade’s worth of Hubble Space Telescope data. As per the scientists, the Uranus holds 17 hours, 14 minutes, and 52 seconds to finish a complete rotation—that is, 28 seconds more than the estimation served by NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft. This estimation was made possible through the measurement of the magnetic fields and the radio waves coming from the auras of the planet. This understanding helps one derive surface mapping and alignment estimation in perplexing surroundings. Some of those maps may need to be reconsidered based on the most recent research.

Hubble Refines Uranus’ Spin and Orbit Time

According to reports, the Hubble Space Telescope study verified Uranus completed a revolution in 17 hours, 14 minutes, and 52 seconds. That is 28 seconds more than the NASA mission Voyager 2, from the 1980s.

The report further mentions that through examination of a ten-year record of aurora observations, a team headed by Laurent Lamy at the Paris Observatory in France revealed the magnetic poles of the planet. That long-term monitoring gave even more exact rotation periods—that is, nearly 84 Earth years for Uranus to orbit the sun.

Uranus’ Rotation Refined, Aiding Future Exploration

On Uranus, a day just lasts far longer. More precise rotational time observations of the gas giant should enable scientists to plan visits to investigate it. Unlike on Mars and Earth, savage windstorms make it far more difficult to identify the rotation times of the biggest solar system planets.

The first estimate of Uranus’s spin was shifted closer to the Voyager 2 probe, which made a close-range approach on January 24, 1986. The researchers during that time found out that the planet’s mangetic field was by 59 degrees from celestial north. Moreover, the researchers observed that its rotation axis was 98 degrees offset.

Uranus Spins Sideways with a 17-Hour Day, Scientists Confirm

The report further mentions that Uranus effectively revolves “lying down” compared to Earth; during this period, its magnetic poles find a giant circle as the planet rotates. These highest offsets mean With a safety margin of plus or minus 36 seconds, scientists at the time estimated that Uranus was completing a full revolution in every 17 hours, 14 minutes, and 24 seconds by measuring the magnetic field of the planet as well as radio emissions from aurora at its magnetic poles.

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Farallon Slab Beneath Midwest Pulls Crust Downward, Causing Widespread Thinning

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April 12, 2025

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Farallon Slab Beneath Midwest Pulls Crust Downward, Causing Widespread Thinning

An underground structure beneath central United States has been observed dragging surface materials deep into the Earth. This movement has been linked to an old piece of crust lodged far below the Midwest. Researchers have said this action is pulling rocks from across the continent towards a funnel-shaped region. It is believed this process is causing parts of the crust to thin as material is drawn downward. This phenomenon has been found to affect areas beyond the immediate region.

Underground slab tied to crust loss beneath Midwest

According to the study published in Nature Geoscience, the phenomenon has been tied to the remains of a long-subducted tectonic plate known as the Farallon slab. This slab, which sits around 660 kilometres below the surface, was identified as the driving force behind what scientists refer to as cratonic thinning. Cratons are known to be the stable core regions of continental crust and upper mantle that usually do not undergo change.

The seismic mapping project was led by Junlin Hua during his postdoctoral work at The University of Texas at Austin. He now serves as a professor at the University of Science and Technology of China. In a statement, Hua explained that a wide region is showing signs of thinning. He stated that the study has brought forward a new explanation behind this change.

New seismic method uncovers ‘dripping’ lithosphere

To observe the changes taking place beneath North America, researchers used a method known as full-waveform inversion. This seismic imaging approach allowed them to map the subsurface in high detail. According to Thorsten Becker, Geophysics Chair at UT Austin, this technique offered a better understanding of the link between deep mantle regions and the lithosphere above.

Computer simulations were used to confirm the effect. When the slab was included, the downward movement was visible. When removed, no such feature appeared.

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