Part 1: An Intro to the Great North American Total Solar Eclipse 2024
Rainbow Symphony has been producing the safest eclipse glasses since the 1990s, so we decided to put together some detailed info about solar eclipse viewing dates and times, locations, eclipse safety instructions, and more. We hope this guide is helpful as you plan your viewing experience!
Back in 2017, some United States residents were treated to a total solar eclipse. This astronomical phenomenon caused excitement for many. However, there was a large swath of the population that wasn’t in the path of totality to view the eclipse in all of its splendor. With the Great North American Total Solar Eclipse 2024 approaching soon, will you be prepared for its arrival?
Understanding Eclipses
An eclipse is a moment in time when the sun is obscured from sight by the moon. We call this a “rare” event, due to several factors. Yes, solar eclipses technically do happen more often than you may think, but their positioning isn’t often accessible.
The real issue comes down to the path that the eclipse travels. Due to the rotations of the Earth and the moon, solar eclipses are often hard to access without traveling thousands of miles. However, for those who live in the United States, Canada, or Mexico, the Great North American Total Solar Eclipse 2024 may be an exciting opportunity for backyard viewing!
Wondering why this one is so special? Here’s some quick info about solar eclipse viewing paths, and what makes the 2024 eclipse so unique:
The path that a total solar eclipse travels is called the “path of totality.” This is the area where a person can observe the sun completely covered by a full moon. Many solar eclipses are only observable in small areas for a very short period of time, or they’re in rural parts of the world that are harder to access. The Great North American Total Solar Eclipse 2024 is a rare treat for many who missed previous events!
An Event Worth Witnessing
A total solar eclipse is a singularly unique event. We highly recommend that you take the time to view the solar eclipse, which will take place on April 8, 2024. Because astronomers are able to track the movement of the Earth and the moon, they can determine the cycles of eclipses that will come in the future. As such, scientists know the exact path an eclipse will take, how long it can be observed in a given area, and when it will disappear from view. Pretty amazing!
If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of the Great North American Total Solar Eclipse 2024, here’s some pertinent info about the solar eclipse you should know:
Date and Time:
The full solar eclipse will begin at 12:38 PM Eastern Standard Time and will cease at 3:55 PM EST on the same day.
Duration:
Maximum eclipse viewing will take place near the city of Nazas, Durango in Mexico. Residents there will be able to view the 2024 solar eclipse for a total of 4 minutes and 29 seconds. Other cities in North America will also have the ability to see the total eclipse if they’re in the path of totality.
Locations:
The Great North American Total Solar Eclipse 2024’s path of totality will pass through the following states in order of appearance:
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- Arkansas
- Missouri
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Indiana
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- New York
- Vermont
- New Hampshire
- Maine
To see the exact area of path and times of totality in each state, check out this helpful tracker and map put together by NASA.
Watch the Eclipse Safely
Although it may be tempting to look directly at a solar eclipse during the partial phases, it’s important to note that doing so isn’t advisable. Here’s some important info about solar eclipse viewing that will ensure a safe solar eclipse 2024 experience.
You can safely view a solar eclipse by using a pair of certified eclipse glasses. Our solar eclipse glasses filter out solar radiation and allow you to view an eclipse in complete safety. At Rainbow Symphony, we offer several types of glasses, viewers, and solar filters, and each will allow you to view any solar eclipse without harming your eyes. We even have eclipse glasses that fit over the top of your current glasses to ensure that you can have the most vivid view possible. After all, for many, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Make the most of every second of the solar eclipse 2024 with glasses and viewers designed by top experts!
Our eclipse glasses are made in the USA, trusted by NASA and AAS, and certified to meet ISO standard 12312-2:2015. They’re also "CE" Certified, meeting standards for transmission for scale 12-16 of EN 169/1992 for safe solar viewing. Rainbow Symphony’s eclipse sunglasses meet the 2012 Transmission Requirements of EN 1836:2005 and AS/NZS 1338.1:1992 for eclipse filters (Queensland Directive). And our specialty lenses have scratch-resistant materials with grade-five optical density, guaranteeing protection from solar radiation. “Black Polymer” blocks out 100% of ultraviolet light, infrared light, and 99.999% of intense visible light, and the filters on the lenses produce orange-colored imagery of the sun, with sharper detail and imagery.
Get Eclipse Ready
The solar eclipse 2024 will be here before you know it, so don’t wait until April 8, 2024 to get your eclipse gear ready. We have commemorative glasses available in two unique designs (style 1 and style 2), and we can even customize eclipse glasses for your event! Contact us today, and we’ll be glad to provide further info about solar eclipse viewing products and answer all of your eclipse-related questions.
