SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR) — In just a few weeks, a total solar eclipse (when the moon passes between the sun and Earth) will slice through much of the U.S., curving along a path of totality from Texas to Maine.
Those in the path of totality on April 8 will have the best view at the once-in-a-lifetime event.
But you may be asking yourself: Is being “close enough” to that path good enough?
The short answer is no.
It’s like if you were going to a concert or special event. Would you go 90% of the way there and not see it or would you go the whole way to see the event? That’s a silly question. You’d go the whole way!
You can see the eclipse’s path of totality in the image below.
It makes a big difference whether you are in an area that sees a total solar eclipse (highlighted by the areas in orange on the map above) versus one that doesn’t.
What are the benefits of experiencing totality?
1. Sudden nightfall
As the moon blocks the sun’s light during the eclipse, locations experiencing totality will be plunged into darkness. Stars will become visible, street lights could turn on, and the temperature will drop — it will feel like you’ve fast-forwarded into the middle of the night.
2. The sun’s atmosphere becomes visible
Called the corona, this is only visible without sophisticated scientific equipment during totality. You don’t need anything special to see it — just your eyes.
Experts say to wear eclipse glasses to avoid damaging your eyes, but if you’re in the path of totality, you’ll only need to do that before and after the eclipse. For the few minutes that the moon entirely blocks out the sun, those in the special path can take off their eclipse glasses.
The corona is not visible with even 90% of the sun blocked.
3. Baily’s Beads
As the moon blocks the sun, and just before totality, the last remaining bits of sunlight traveling through the lunar valleys will create a bead-like ring around the sun. You only see that in totality.
4. Sunrise all around
Sounds weird, doesn’t it? You have to remember that the moon’s shadow on the earth is approximately 115 miles wide. When you are in totality, you will see where the sun is out in all directions around you. If you can’t see daylight, at the very least, you will see the pinkish/orangish hues in the sky, as if it’s sunset. This will occur as only longer and longer wavelengths of light (red) are filtered through the atmosphere. You will only see this where there is totality. Everywhere else, you’ll still need to be wearing your eclipse glasses and won’t see it.
How long will totality last?
You have to remember that the sun and moon are spheres. The closer you are to the centerline of the moon’s shadow, the longer the totality will be. That’s where you want to be.
