Differences Between the 2024 and 2017 Total Solar Eclipses

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On April 8, a total solar eclipse will be visible in the skies over Mexico and North America, creating a spectacular event. This will be the first time in nearly seven years that such an eclipse has occurred in this region, and it will be the last until 2044.

Total solar eclipses occur when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, completely blocking the sun's face. However, each of these cosmic events has its own unique qualities.

This year's eclipse in April follows a similar path to the one that took place on August 21, 2017, but it is moving in the opposite direction and covering more ground. According to NASA, there are several differences between the two eclipses that make the 2024 event one to look forward to. One significant difference is the specific regions where the eclipse will be visible.

NASA reported that approximately 215 million adults in the United States witnessed the 2017 eclipse, either in person or through virtual means.

In a statement, Nicola Fox, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, mentioned that this year's total solar eclipse will be visible to everyone in the contiguous United States to some extent, making it the most easily accessible eclipse for this generation.

A longer, more visible eclipse

In 2024, more people will have the opportunity to witness the eclipse because the path of totality will be wider. This path refers to the locations where the moon's shadow completely covers the sun. During the 2017 eclipse, the moon was further away from Earth, resulting in a narrower path of totality, ranging from about 62 to 71 miles (100 to 114 kilometers) wide.

During this year's event, the moon will be closer to our planet, causing its shadow to stretch about 108 to 122 miles (174 to 196 kilometers) wide over North America.

The path of the 2024 eclipse covers more densely populated areas and major cities compared to previous events. In 2017, only 12 million people lived within the totality area, but in 2024, nearly 32 million are in the path, with 150 million people residing within 200 miles (322 kilometers) of it.

This composite image shows the progression of a partial solar eclipse over Ross Lake in Northern Cascades National Park in Washington on August 21, 2017.

This composite image shows the progression of a partial solar eclipse over Ross Lake in Northern Cascades National Park in Washington on August 21, 2017.

Even if you are not in the direct path of totality, you can still witness a partial solar eclipse. This occurs when the moon blocks only a portion of the sun's face. In fact, a staggering 99% of people living in the US, including some areas in Hawaii and Alaska, will have the opportunity to see at least a partial solar eclipse without needing to go elsewhere.

April's eclipse will have a longer period of totality compared to the one in 2017. Totality is the shortest phase of an eclipse, and how long it lasts depends on where you are watching from. Those closest to the center of the eclipse path will see totality for the longest time, while those on the edge will have a shorter window of time to experience it.

Back in 2017, people in Carbondale, Illinois, got to see the longest totality, which lasted for two minutes and 42 seconds.

This year, an area about 25 minutes northwest of Torreón, Mexico, will offer the longest totality at four minutes and 28 seconds. People across Texas and even as far north as Economy, Indiana, will see totality that lasts longer than four minutes. When the eclipse crosses into Canada, viewers can still expect to see totality for 3 minutes and 21 seconds.

The longest period of totality in recent history was seven minutes and 8 seconds, occurring west of the Philippines on June 20, 1955, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

Curious about what you’ll witness during the eclipse? Simply check out our interactive map to find out your location along the path. And remember to pick up a pair of eclipse glasses for a safe viewing experience.

Embark on the exciting solar experiment.

While watching an eclipse is exciting for sky-watchers, it also gives scientists a chance to observe the sun in different ways. The upcoming April eclipse will provide scientists with a unique opportunity to study the sun during a period of high activity known as solar maximum.

The sun goes through a cycle of increasing and decreasing activity every 11 years, which is linked to changes in its magnetic field. The last eclipse in 2017 happened when the sun was approaching a period of low activity called solar minimum.

Experts predict that this year's solar maximum, the peak of solar magnetic field activity, will happen soon. During the upcoming eclipse, scientists expect to see interesting features like loops, streamers, and bright curls in the sun's outer atmosphere known as the corona. The corona, which is dimmer than the sun's surface, becomes more visible during an eclipse, making it easier for scientists to study in detail.

There is also a possibility that a coronal mass ejection, which is an eruption of material from the sun's surface, may be visible during the eclipse.

NASA's WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft will carry out multiple experiments during the eclipse. The goal is to study the corona and potentially uncover new information about its structure using various wavelengths of light.

Editor's P/S:

This article provides detailed information about the upcoming total solar eclipse in April 2024. It highlights the unique features of this event, including its wider path of totality, longer duration, and visibility to a larger population. The article also emphasizes the scientific significance of the eclipse, as it offers scientists an opportunity to study the sun during a period of high activity. This combination of scientific intrigue and astronomical spectacle promises an unforgettable experience for both sky-watchers and researchers alike.

The article's engaging writing style and inclusion of an interactive map and safety tips make it accessible and informative for readers of all levels. It effectively conveys the excitement and anticipation surrounding this celestial event, encouraging readers to witness this rare and awe-inspiring phenomenon.