San Diegans will want to pause and look up (but not without their safety glasses) on April 8, 2024. A total solar eclipse will darken part of North America for the last time in 20 years, and San Diego will experience part of it.
The eclipse will first darken Mexico as the moon passes in front of the sun in perfect alignment with Earth. Then, it will make a dark path through Texas into the United States to northeastern Maine. For other contiguous states not in the “path of totality,” such as San Diego, a partial solar eclipse will still be visible.
San Diego County is one of the best places in California to experience the event. Another total solar eclipse won't be visible from the contiguous United States until August 23, 2044.
“From the point of view of San Diego, about 55% of the Sun is covered at maximum coverage, so it will make a noticeable difference if you're lucky enough to see it through eclipse glasses or something safer,” Fleet Science said. Astronomer-in-residence at the center is Lisa Will.
Here's what to know about the cosmic event, including some happenings around the county.
Where to find free solar eclipse viewing glasses 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 are total solar eclipses, where the Sun completely blocks the Sun, and annular solar eclipses, when the Moon is far from Earth and does not completely block the Sun. The last one happened in October.
Stargazers in 15 states will get the full effect of the eclipse, plunged into total darkness, while in San Diego, the moon will cover 55% of the sun at an angle between Earth and the sun, creating a partial totality of the sun. Eclipse.
North America won't experience totality again until 2033, but only in Alaska. Western Canada, Montana, and North Dakota will be next in line for the U.S. until 2044. Another eclipse won't occur in the US until 2045.
What is the path of the eclipse?
The eclipse's “path of totality” begins in southwest Texas and moves through Oklahoma, crossing the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and New England, and exiting into the Atlantic through eastern Canada.
The period of totality refers to the time when the moon completely covers the sun during a total eclipse. The period of totality is usually brief, lasting only a few minutes.
Fifteen US states will get a piece of the action, two of which — Tennessee and Michigan — barely. Cities in action smack dab: Dallas; Little Rock, Arkansas; Indianapolis, Cleveland, Ohio; Buffalo, New York; and Montreal – making up the largest eclipse crowd on the continent. About 32 million people in the United States live along the 115-mile-wide highway.
Don't fret if you don't have front row seats. Practically everyone on the continent will be able to catch at least a partial eclipse. The further away from the path of totality, the smaller the Moon's bite is outside the Sun. In Seattle and Portland, Oregon, about as far away as you can get in the continental United States, a third of the sun is swallowed up.
NASA will also provide live coverage of the eclipse.
🌑 When does the total eclipse begin?
The eclipse will begin in the United States at 12:30pm CT on April 8th as it moves into southwest Texas. For those in totality — the part of the eclipse where the moon completely covers the sun — there will be total 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 touches the edge of the sun. Climax, when the moon is closest to the center of the sun, visible from San Diego at 11:11 a.m. Viewers will see the most spectacular moments from 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. The eclipse ends at 12:23 p.m., when the moon leaves the edge of the sun.
How to watch the solar eclipse safely
It is not safe to look directly at the sun, even if it is partially hidden. Anyone viewing the eclipse should always wear or use special eclipse glasses if they are facing the Sun An alternative indirect methodNASA says.
Solar eclipse glasses “actually have a mylar film that makes it safe to look through them and see the sun,” Will said. “As much as we want you to see the eclipse, do it safely,” Will said. “We don't want you to hurt your eyes.”
Some San Diego locations offer or sell solar eclipse glasses. For more information, click on the link below.
Where to find free solar eclipse viewing glasses in San Diego County
If you are viewing the eclipse through binoculars, you should have a solar filter attachment.
You can also use projection by filtering sunlight through a small hole or pinhole, then see the shadow of the sunlight on the floor or wall, Will said.
Learn more Eye Protection During a Solar Eclipse on NASA's website.
Parts of North America could see a partial solar eclipse Thursday morning.
Are there any eclipse events?
Will said that if you can see the sun, you can see the eclipse, but don't forget your safety glasses.
Many locations throughout San Diego County are also hosting free events and will provide glasses or help you make your own viewing equipment for the eclipse. Will be at the Fleet Science Center for a party. Here are some events happening in San Diego County:
Join a viewing party in the center of Balboa Park (near the fountain) starting at 10 a.m. at the San Diego Fleet Science Center, where scientists will answer questions and teach guests how to build their own solar observers. Guests can purchase a pair of NASA 3-D eclipse glasses from the Navy's gift shop.
“It shows you how much the public is really interested in science, and I think the public wants a place to go where they know they can get good information, and that's something we can do for them at the Naval Science Center,” Will said. .
Inside the museum, Fleet's IMAX theater will show a live broadcast of the total eclipse from the path of totality, where parts of the United States will be completely dark. Buy a ticket Enjoy this part of the event.
🌘 San Diego Public Libraries
each one 37 San Diego Public Library locations A spokesperson for the library confirmed that a limited supply of solar eclipse viewing glasses has been received for distribution to the public.
Guests don't need a library card to get the glasses, but they are in short supply — some branches have already sold out. Guests are limited to two pairs of glasses per household.
There are also many branches Host their own free events leading up to or during a total eclipse.
- at Balboa Library On April 3rd, guests can make their own eclipse watchers out of a cereal box for the event starting at 3:30 p.m.
- The Pacific Coast/Taylor Library will host their own viewing party at Cass Street Plaza. There will be three functions and an audience to share.
- Let your kids learn about the eclipse during a special story time Mount Carmel Ranch 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 really interesting science you can do during eclipses,” Will said. “Eclipses have long been a subject of interest to mankind. In particular, you can imagine what happens when you realize that the sun is gone, and you don't expect it. Now we can predict it. Less mysterious but still fascinating.”
