Millions Await as Total Solar Eclipse Darkens Skies Across America.

1 min read 2024-04-06, 01: 20 AM IST

Millions of Americans are eagerly anticipating a rare celestial event set to unfold on Monday: a total solar eclipse. The moon’s brief interjection between the sun and the Earth will transform daylight into an eerie twilight from Texas to Maine, captivating spectators with its mesmerizing spectacle.

While Washington state won’t experience the eclipse’s totality, residents will still witness a remarkable celestial display as the moon partially obscures the sun. The degree of coverage will vary depending on the viewer’s location. To celebrate this cosmic event, the Physics and Astronomy Club will host a partial solar eclipse viewing party at the Jewett Observatory on the WSU Pullman campus from 10:37 a.m. to 12:32 p.m.

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Here’s a breakdown of the maximum percentage of sun coverage for different locations across the Washington State University system:

• Vancouver: 22.1% at 11:26:00 a.m.
• Everett: 19.77% at 11:30:03 a.m.
• Tri-Cities: 26.02% at 11:30:57 a.m.
• Pullman: 28.48% at 11:34:06 a.m.
• Spokane: 26.71% at 11:35:05 a.m.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon positions itself directly between the sun and the Earth, obstructing sunlight and casting a temporary shadow on the Earth’s surface. The moon’s shadow, known as the umbra, can be relatively small, sometimes spanning just 50 miles in diameter, according to NASA. As the moon, sun, and Earth move in their respective orbits, the umbra’s path traverses the Earth, creating what scientists refer to as the “path of totality.”

Monday’s eclipse will trace a path of totality from Central America to Canada, crossing through several states including Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Despite its narrow trajectory, the eclipse will be visible as a partial phenomenon across all of North and Central America, offering spectators a captivating glimpse into the wonders of our solar system.(also read: Empire State Building Stands Strong: ‘I Am Fine’ After New York Shaken by 4.8 Magnitude Earthquake).

As anticipation builds for this celestial spectacle, experts urge spectators to take necessary precautions when viewing the eclipse to protect their eyes from harmful solar radiation. Specialized solar viewing glasses or solar filters are recommended to safely observe the eclipse without risking eye damage.

Stay tuned for updates and live coverage of this extraordinary event as millions of Americans prepare to witness the mesmerizing dance between the sun, moon, and Earth during Monday’s total solar eclipse.