On April 8, North America will witness its second total solar eclipse in seven years, NASA has reported.
During the eclipse, the moon will move in front of the sun, blocking its light and creating a shadow on parts of the Earth. This will make the affected areas as dark as night for a brief period.
Skywatchers in Mexico will see the eclipse first, then it will move north into the United States starting from Texas. After that, it will continue northeast before ending for most observers off the coast of Canada.
As per NASA, the occasion will start with a partial solar eclipse, during which the moon will gradually cover a portion of the sun's circumference, eventually progressing to cover more of its surface.
This phase can extend for approximately 70 to 80 minutes.
Totality, the phase of the eclipse when the moon entirely covers the sun's surface, is the only time it's safe to observe the event directly. The duration of totality varies depending on the location.
Totality will be observable in several U.S. states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
However, Tennessee and Michigan will only be glanced by the moon's shadow.
How to safely view a solar eclipse
As advised by NASA, it's unsafe to observe the sun directly through any optical device unless you're using specialized paper glasses or viewers.
If you intend to watch the eclipse through cameras, binoculars, or telescopes, it's crucial to obtain a designated solar filter.
The only safe instance to view a solar eclipse without protection is during the totality phase.
However, once the sun starts to become visible again, it's essential to resume using protective equipment to prevent eye damage.
