Be Prepared for the Total Solar Eclipse

On April 8, 2024, get ready for one of nature’s greatest spectacles: a total solar eclipse. It happens when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, blocking out the sun for several minutes.

WHAT IS A TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE?

On April 8, the moon will pass between Earth and the sun, blocking out the sun and making it go dark.

There are several types of solar eclipses:

• In a total eclipse, the moon completely blocks the sun. People located in the center of the moon’s shadow when it hits Earth will see this type of eclipse.

• During an annular eclipse, the moon passes between the sun and Earth when it’s at or near its farthest point from Earth.

• During a hybrid eclipse, an eclipse shifts between annular and total because Earth’s curvy surface causes the moon’s shadow to move across the globe.

• In a partial eclipse, the moon passes between the sun and Earth, but only a part of the sun appears to be covered, giving it a crescent shape.

WHEN IS THE SOLAR ECLIPSE

The solar eclipse is April 8, 2024. It has been almost seven years since the last total solar eclipse crossed over North America. The next total solar eclipse visible across the United States, also known as the Great North American Eclipse, won’t occur until Aug. 22, 2044.

HOW CAN I SEE THE SOLAR ECLIPSE

There is one unbreakable rule when viewing a solar eclipse: Never look directly at the sun during any phase without proper eye protection. Without protection, your eyesight could be permanently damaged.

To safely observe a total solar eclipse, you must use approved solar viewing glasses (not regular sunglasses). You can also view the eclipse indirectly with a homemade solar eclipse viewer.

Step-by-step instructions on how to make a solar eclipse viewer.

Find out where you can get approved viewing glasses.

WHAT TIME DO I NEED TO BE OUTSIDE?

The path of the total solar eclipse on April 8 will cross parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. The rest of the United States will see a partial eclipse.

The exact start times will vary depending on your location. Visit go.scoutlife.org/eclipsetimes to see what time the eclipse begins in your area.

WHAT EXACTLY WILL I SEE?

For an estimated 4 minutes and 28 seconds, the sun will be entirely covered by the moon, revealing the solar corona — the sun’s outer atmosphere. This creates a brief period of darkness in the day, known as “totality.” You might also be able to see a few stars and planets when the sky goes dark if you’re in the path of totality. You will not experience the same effects during a partial eclipse.

HOW CAN I EARN THE SOLAR ECLIPSE EMBLEM?

Learn how to earn the BSA Total Solar Eclipse 2024 emblem at go.scoutlife.org/eclipsepatch

Photos and illustrations by NASA/Aubrey Gemignani; NASA; Getty Images/IStockPhoto; Jonathan Adams