During the afternoon of Monday, April 8, 2024 a total solar eclipse took place across North America. It was a fun one for us here in PA considering the path of totality went through Erie, PA! Let’s talk some solar eclipse science!
What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when, during our orbit around the sun, the moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun. This creates a shadow on Earth, making it appear as if it is nighttime during the day! It has even been observed that animals act differently during an eclipse.
When is the next total solar eclipse?
The next solar eclipse will take place on August 12, 2026. To see this one, you’ll have to head to Iceland or Spain. We won’t see totality in the United States.
Solar Eclipse 2024
Here is a look at the pat of the solar eclipse from April 8, 2024, across North America.
We began to see the eclipse around 2:00 pm in Pennsylvania. The eclipse reached its maximum between 3:15 pm and 3:20 pm and end around 4:30 pm. In Central PA, we only saw about 95% of the eclipse, but we were not in totality. If you wanted to see totality, you needed to venture to northwestern PA
We will not see another total solar eclipse in the lower 48 of the United States for about 20 years, until August 23, 2044!
What is totality?
When you are in the path of totality, it means the moon will completely cover the sun. In the path of totality, you can safely remove your eclipse safety glasses briefly during totality. You should even be able to see the Sun’s corona! Others not in the path of totality, will still see the eclipse but will need to wear safety glasses the entire time to view it. In Erie, PA, totality lasted for about 3 min and 40 seconds.
Solar Eclipse Viewing Safety
It is important to note that it is NEVER safe to look directly at the sun unless you have proper viewing glasses. If you do not have eclipse viewing glasses, you can always make your own viewer to see the shadow in other ways! Here is a resource from NASA, to make your own
cereal box viewer!
Wx Shield 
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