NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day April 18, 2023: Map of the total solar eclipse path

The first solar eclipse of 2023 is almost here, with a hybrid eclipse happening on April 20. But how does eclipse happen? According to NASA, a solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Moon and Earth are completely or partially in a straight line. Depending on how they align, eclipses provide a unique, exciting view of either the Sun or the Moon. However, not all eclipses are visible all over the world. NASA released a map citing details of the 2023 and 2024 solar eclipses in the United States.

Today’s NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day is a map of the total solar eclipse path that will occur next year on April 8. Viewers from locations outside the path will not experience a total solar eclipse or an annular eclipse, but can still see a partial eclipse. Apart from the hybrid solar eclipse on 20 April, there will also be an annular solar eclipse on 14 October, while the total solar eclipse will happen on 8 April 2024. Covered by the Moon during a partial eclipse. For an annular eclipse, these lines appear pale yellow. For total eclipses, they are faint purple.

The photo was created by NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio (SVS) which allows science enthusiasts to learn about NASA programs through visualization. According to NASA, SVS works closely with scientists in the creation of visualizations, animations and images to promote greater understanding of Earth and space science research activities at NASA and within the academic research community supported by NASA.

NASA photo description

Would you like to see a total eclipse of the Sun? If so, do any friends or relatives live near the path of next April’s eclipse? If again yes, then you might want to arrange a visit at a more convenient time. Next on April 8, the path of a total solar eclipse will cross North America from western Mexico to eastern Canada, entering the United States in southern Texas and exiting in northern Maine.

All of North America will experience at least a partial solar eclipse. Here is a map of the path of totality in particular. Many people who have witnessed a total solar eclipse tell stories about it for the rest of their lives. As a warmup, an annular solar eclipse will be visible later this year – in mid-October.