CONNECTICUT, USA — The Great American Eclipse is coming April 8.
Do you remember 2017? A total solar eclipse cast a shadow of darkness across a narrow portion of the country from coast to coast.
After this eclipse, the next one visible in the United States isn't until August 23, 2044! To say this is a rare event is an understatement, and it's something that millions of Americans will be experiencing together.
What's a total solar eclipse?
A total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun.
People viewing the eclipse from locations where the moon's shadow completely covers the sun will experience a total solar eclipse. During this time, no more than a few minutes long, the sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk.
This area is known as the path of totality, shown below. It includes portions of the following states: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
All of the lower 48 states will experience at least a partial solar eclipse, the areas outside of the path of totality.
Where in the northeast will experience totality?
Solar eclipse path of totality in the Northeast
What can we expect to see in Connecticut?
Connecticut and areas outside of the path of totality will experience a partial solar eclipse, meaning the moon will block a portion of the sun, but not all of it. Eclipse safety glasses will be needed for viewing the entire time.
Since we are not far from the path of totality, at its peak, more than 90 percent of the sun will be covered by the moon. However, the powerful rays of the sun surrounding the eclipse will still make it through.
In Hartford, for example, the partial eclipse lasts about 2 hours and 24 minutes, peaking around 3:27 p.m.
The magnitude of the eclipse will be greatest in the northwest corner of the state and relatively smaller in the southeastern corner. It's unlikely the difference will be very noticeable.
Magnitude by town:
- Salisbury - 94.3%
- Enfield - 93.4%
- Waterbury - 92.6%
- Hartford - 92.9%
- Willimantic - 92.3%
- Middletown - 92.2%
- New Haven - 91.7%
- Stamford - 91.7%
- Groton - 91%
Farther away from the path of totality, especially in the western United States, only a small portion of the sun will be covered.
If it's a clear day, we will have excellent viewing. However, thick cloud cover would obscure any opportunity to see the eclipse. April is known for cloud cover in the northeast, so we'll be watching the forecast closely as we approach April 8.
Ryan Breton is a meteorologist at FOX61 News. He can be reached at rbreton@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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