The April 8 solar eclipse, visible from North America only, provided a striking spectacle.
Millions of people are witnessing a rare phenomenon this Monday, April 8, 2024: a total solar eclipse. No need to look up at the sky when night fell in France, the phenomenon was only visible in North America where, since the afternoon, which is the beginning of the evening for us, the sky has gradually darkened. This astronomical phenomenon, where the Moon slips in front of the Sun to completely obscure the view from Earth, occurred in the afternoon, transforming day into night for a few magical moments.
The event began near the Pacific coast of Mexico at 11:07 a.m. local time, or 8:07 p.m. for observers in mainland France, and traveled across the continent. The astronomical phenomenon was expected to end on the Atlantic coast of Canada at 5:16 p.m. local time, or 9:46 p.m. in France. Some 44 million people were ultimately expected to be plunged into darkness for a few minutes.
Although the eclipse was a primarily North American event, parts of overseas France were fortunate to observe a partial phase of this celestial ballet. Residents of Saint Pierre and Miquelon were also expected to witness this rare event, according to information from the Institute of Celestial Mechanics and Ephemeris Calculation (IMCCE). It is also possible to follow the phenomenon on the internet via the NASA website and its YouTube account (video below).
The eclipse of April 8 is particularly remarkable, not only for its spectacular nature but also because of its exceptional duration. With a centrality phase reaching 4 minutes and 34 seconds, it stands out as one of the longest of the 21st century. Nazca, a city in northwest Mexico, was supposed to be the epicenter of this natural spectacle, being right in the heart of the “band of totality” where the eclipse was visible in all its intensity.
For those who are in mainland France and who missed this spectacle on the internet, know that you will have to wait until September 3, 2081 to observe a total solar eclipse from France!
