A total eclipse which will be visible this Monday, starting in Mexicogoing by United Statess ending in Canadaattracts the attention of millions of people, who see in this celestial phenomenon a scientific, economic and even sentimental opportunity.
The event should be visible first on the west coast of Mexico, starting at 18:07 GMT. The path will then cross 15 US states, from Texas to Maine, before ending its journey in eastern Canada.
Festivals, viewing parties and even a massive wedding are planned throughout the territories where the totality of the eclipse can be seen, transforming day into night for a few moments.
In some cities such as Texas, vision could be impaired by cloudy weather and storms expected for Monday afternoon.
“A solar eclipse “It is one of the most moving events that one can experience,” said astrophysicist Jane Rigby, principal scientist for NASA’s Webb project. “Feel your sensations. “You are part of the universe,” he added.
This year’s path of totality is 185 kilometers wide and includes a region where nearly 32 million Americans live. Another 150 million live within 320 km of the strip and those further away will be able to enjoy a partial eclipse.
Security First
A total eclipse occurs when the Moon is located exactly between the Earth and the Sun, temporarily blocking its light in broad daylight. The Sun is about 400 times larger than the Moon, but it is 400 times farther away, so they both appear similar in size.
NASA will broadcast a live video for three hours from various locations, with images from telescopes and comments from experts. Among the emblematic places where the eclipse will be visible are Niagara Falls, where the spectacle promises to be great.
Several regions have declared “state of emergency” to better cope with the influx of visitors.
The authorities have been developing safety instructions for weeks, in particular the need to use special glasses to look at the Sun and avoid eye damage.
Former President Donald Trump, who in the last total eclipse in the United States in 2017 faced the eclipse without protection, took advantage of this year’s fever to launch a campaign advertisement, in which a huge silhouette of his head blocks the sunlight and announces his return as “the most important moment in the history of humanity.”
Traffic jams
The enthusiasm is such that channels like CNN keep a countdown. Many regions are awaiting the massive arrival of tourists.
“We have people from all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. There are tourists from the Netherlands, Finland, Germany, Israel, New Zealand”says Jennyth Peterson, events manager at Stonehenge II park in Texas, where there is a replica of the prehistoric structure from England.
“It is our third solar eclipse”Jim Saltigerald, 62, with his wife and two children, told AFP. “We are praying and waiting for the clouds to give us a break so we can see it.”
In Burlington, Vermont, the population could double in one day, according to local officials.
In Russellville, Arkansas, 300 couples will exchange vows during a mass wedding organized under the theme “A Total Eclipse of the Heart”in reference to the famous Bonnie Tyler song.
Many hotels have been full for months, with exorbitant prices, and traffic jams are expected, as in 2017.
Many schools will close or allow students to leave early. The eclipse can also be admired from the air: some airlines have planned flights along the path of darkness, whose tickets have already sold out.
Astronauts on the International Space Station will see the Moon’s shadow sweeping across the Earth’s surface.
Releases
The event is also of scientific interest. NASA will launch three small sounding rockets before, during and just after the eclipse from Virginia, in the eastern United States.
The objective: to measure the changes caused by darkness in the upper part of the Earth’s atmosphere, the ionosphere, through which a large part of the communication signals pass.
The solar corona, the outer layer of the Sun’s atmosphere, becomes especially visible during an eclipse. It will be observed carefully: this is where solar flares occur.
The next total eclipse visible in the United States (excluding Alaska) will take place in 2044. Before that, there will be a total eclipse in Spain, in 2026.
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Source: Gestion
Ricardo is a renowned author and journalist, known for his exceptional writing on top-news stories. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he is known for his ability to deliver breaking news and insightful analysis on the most pressing issues of the day.
