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what is an eclipse & WHERE CAN I WATCH IT?

October 2, 2024: Hawaii annular eclipse

Partial Eclipse Begins: 5:44am

Sunrise in Hawaii: 6:13am

Maximum Partial Eclipse: 6:46am

Eclipse Ends: 7:56am

WHEN & WHERE TO WATCH

The October 2024 Annular eclipse, unlike the October 2023 and April 2024 eclipses, will pass mostly over open ocean. However, over 10 million people will still be able to witness >50% annularity.

Notable locations for viewing: Hawaii, Argentina, and Chile.

The table to the left shows annularity percentages based on location.

hawaii eclipse

The image to the left, courtesy of Time & Date, shows the maximum partial annularity that Hawaii will experience at 6:46am on October 2.

A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO ECLIPSES

Lunar and Solar Eclipses Explained

Eclipses occur when the sun, moon, and Earth align in a way that either the moon casts a shadow on Earth or the latter casts a shadow on the moon. So what are the similarities and differences between the two types of eclipses? Check out this video by Science ABC!

Lunar Eclipses Unveiled: A Celestial Dance
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DID YOU KNOW?

According to the AAS, the cosmic coincidence that gives us total solar eclipses isn’t permanent. The Moon is ever so slowly moving away from our planet at rate of about 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters) per year. As it recedes, its average apparent diameter shrinks. Eventually, the Moon will never be large enough to completely cover the Sun, and total eclipses will no longer be visible from Earth’s surface.

Total & Annular Eclipses

A total eclipse happens when the dark silhouette of the Moon completely covers the intense light of the Sun. It occurs in places where the umbral shadow is cast. Direct light from the Sun is hidden and we will experience darkness like it is already nighttime.

An Annular solar eclipse is when the Moon and the Sun are both exactly in line. But, either the Moon is further from Earth or the Earth is closer to the Sun. When this happens, the apparent size of the Moon is smaller than that of the Sun. Therefire, it's not able to entirely cover the Sun.

What causes solar eclipses?
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