The first and only total solar eclipse of 2024

The total solar eclipse will appear from the Pacific coast of Mexico at 11:07 PDT on April 8 (1:07 April 9 Hanoi time), considered the longest on land in more than a decade.

The total solar eclipse on April 8 is considered a major event and "the most impressive in hundreds of years", for many reasons.

First , the duration of totality could be twice as long as the 2017 total solar eclipse, depending on the observer's location. This is also considered the longest total solar eclipse over land in more than a decade.

Total solar eclipse observed from Madras, Oregon, USA, August 21, 2017. (Photo: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

In addition , the Sun's halo during this phenomenon will be very large. The reason is that the Sun is nearing its solar maximum - the most active time in the solar cycle lasting about 11 years.

The event on April 8 will be the longest total solar eclipse in the US since 1806. At the US-Mexico border, the viewing time for a total solar eclipse can be up to 4 minutes and 26 seconds. This is also the darkest total solar eclipse in the US in 217 years.

Another interesting point is that during the eclipse, viewers can observe comet 12P/Pons-Brooks.

Where can you observe the solar eclipse on April 8?

The unique astronomical event on April 8 will not be observable in Vietnam . People in parts of Mexico, Canada and more than 10 US states can enjoy the total solar eclipse. Meanwhile, a partial solar eclipse is expected to be visible in 49 US states if the weather is favorable.

The partial solar eclipse is expected to begin at 3:42 p.m. Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), or 10:42 p.m. Hanoi time. The eclipse will initially appear over the South Pacific and begin its journey across North America. Mexico's Pacific Coast is the first point of the total solar eclipse on the journey, expected at 6:07 p.m. UTC time or 1:07 a.m. on April 9, Hanoi time.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, causing the Sun to be completely obscured as seen from Earth. Observers standing within the path of a total solar eclipse will see totality. However, people standing outside this path will only see a partial eclipse. During a solar eclipse, the sky will be as dark as at sunrise or sunset.

The Moon did not suddenly appear between the Earth and the Sun. Instead, the event begins with a partial solar eclipse, in which the Moon gradually moves to obscure the Sun, making the Sun appear like a crescent. According to NASA, depending on the observer's position, a partial solar eclipse can last 70 - 80 minutes.