On April 8, the United States experienced a total solar eclipse, the first in nearly seven years and possibly the last until 2044.
Millions of people throughout North America gathered along with their trusted eclipse glasses to view the possibly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves in between the path of the sun and Earth and entirely blocks the face of the sun from Earth’s view, momentarily darkening the sky throughout many parts of Mexico, USA and Canada that were part of the “path of totality.”
Earth only experiences a total solar eclipse about once every year or two, but there can be at least two total eclipses that occur somewhere around the globe.
According to NASA, 13 states in the USA were included in the path of totality, those closer to Louisiana were Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, being approximately 108 to 122 miles wide.
The 2017 total solar eclipse was only 62 to 72 miles wide, traveling from the northwestern USA to the southeastern portion, only having around 12 million people in the path of totality.
The recent total eclipse, however, contained 31.6 million residents in the path of totality, as the path covered more vastly populated cities, such as Dallas, Texas, than the last total eclipse.
In addition to having a larger audience, the 2024 total eclipse began between noon and 4:30 p.m., lasting approximately 4 minutes and 28 seconds.
During this time, the moon was entirely covering the sun, with only the bright border of the sun, known as the corona, being visible.
Viewers could also remove their glasses during this period to view the eclipse, as their eyes would not be harmed.
A few prominent highlights of the eclipse were the observations.
From some locations, like Dallas, Texas, viewers shared seeing bright planets like Jupiter and Venus, with Mars and Saturn being faintly visible in some regions.
Animals also seemed to act peculiar during totality. Due to the darkening of the sky and its mimicking of dusk, many animals began to initiate their nightly routines, like birds flying off to their nests and preparing for rest, while the nocturnal animals awoke.
Some telescope viewers could also see pink flames sneaking up from the sun. NASA explains these bright pink flames as being prominences, “unstable clouds of plasma suspended above the Sun by strong magnetic forces.”
Although Louisiana was not in the path of totality, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Science Museum organized a Solar Eclipse Program for the community to make that day as memorable as those in totality.
People from throughout Acadiana, including children, attended an eclipse viewing, where they were able to view the total eclipse through a special-lensed telescope that projected the solar eclipse onto a display, where a nearly 87%-covered sun could be seen.
Although another total eclipse could occur sometime in the future, it cannot be guaranteed that it will be in the USA again.
NASA estimates that the next total eclipse will pass through the country on Aug. 23, 2044.
Solar eclipses may be some of the few times millions of people around the world gather to marvel at our solar system’s significance, beauty and the immense impact it has on their lives.