On April 8, 2024, North America was submerged in darkness as it observed a total solar eclipse. The momentous shadow was in fact cast by the Moon, creating a breathtaking dance of darkness across the globe. The circular shadow was mesmerizing. This phenomenon was enthusiastically shared on social media by the likes of NASA, Elon Musk, and NOAA.
The GOES-East satellite by NOAA captured this rare occurrence, recording the movement of a perfectly round shadow. Portions of the Earth plunged into unexpected darkness, a sight featured in a video linked below...
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk shared a gripping video tweet that said, 'Solar eclipse from Earth’s orbit'. The captivating footage was taken from the International Space Station (ISS), and you can see it right here below...
An Event 54 Years in the Making... Discover the Significance
The Moon zipped across the sun at 2400 km/hr, etching its shadow upon the Earth. Such an eclipse last occurred in 1970 and won't reoccur until 2078. This route of shadow is known as the Path of Totality.
The Earth's Shadow Stretched 185 km Wide
The Path of Totality is the track of debris created by the eclipse. The shadow, spanning 185 km in width, was visible across Mexico, the USA, and Canada. It lasted for approximately 100 minutes, turning day into night in several locations, affecting both temperatures and animal behavior.
54 Years and 33 Days Later, We'll Witness Another Phenomenon
These solar eclipses are part of a family called Saros. The Moon completes 223 orbits, and during its 669th, such an eclipse takes place. NASA explains that a Saros lasts 6,585.3 days, or 18 years, 11 days, and 8 hours. The 8-hour period is precisely when the eclipse falls into place, part of Saros 139. This period of 8 hours confirms that an equivalent eclipse will manifest every 54 years and 33 days, a cycle known as Exeligmos.
