If you plan to observe the annular solar eclipse on October 14, 2023, or the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, in the United States, NASA’s latest solar eclipse 2024 interactive map could be an invaluable guide. The map, created using data from multiple NASA missions, shows the path of the Moon’s shadow as it traverses the contiguous U.S. during both events. By examining the map, you can determine where you want to be to witness these spectacular natural phenomena.
So, the map released by NASA illustrates the dark paths that observers must be situated within to witness the “ring of fire” during the annular eclipse, in which the Moon obstructs all but the outer rim of the Sun, and the corona, the ghostly-white outer layer of the Sun, during the total eclipse, in which the Moon blocks the Sun’s disk completely. Moreover, the map indicates where and to what extent the Moon will partially eclipse the Sun outside these paths. In both cases, all 48 contiguous states in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico will experience at least a partial solar eclipse 2024.
Here is the term to know,
What are dark bands?
The annular and total solar eclipse 2024 paths are defined as dark bands stretching across the U.S. on NASA’s new eclipse map. Those within the annular eclipse path from Oregon to Texas may witness the annular eclipse when the sky is clear. Similarly, those positioned in the total eclipse path from Texas to Maine may see the total eclipse, contingent on favorable weather conditions.
What is Ovals Representation?
Ovals with times inside them can be seen inside those shadowy passages (yellow ovals for the annular eclipse, purple ovals for the total solar eclipse 2024). Moreover, the ovals represent the Moon’s shadow as it falls on Earth at specified times. A complete or annular eclipse will be visible to those in the zones marked by the ovals.
Duration and Visibility of Solar Eclipse 2024:
The annular or complete eclipse will last longer towards the center of the tracks. Ranging (3–4.5 minutes) for the annular eclipse path are between the north Nevada-Utah border and San Antonio and Corpus Christi, Texas, in the south. Furthermore, The total solar eclipse 2024 path is labeled near Presque Isle, Maine, in the north and between the 2:20 and 2:25 p.m. CST ovals in Mexico in the south.
Now come to the point,
Why some people will only view the Partial Solar Eclipse?
Unfortunately, the people outside the paths will have to wait for the next one as the solar eclipse 2024 will only be visible to the viewers residing in the location. However, the good news is that they can still view the partial eclipse. Parallel lines show the Moon’s partial eclipse coverage. The annular eclipse has weak yellow lines. They’re dim purple during the total eclipse. The map’s left and top edges show annular eclipse line percentages. Also, the map’s bottom and right edges show total eclipse percentages. (Tip: The percentages match the line angles.)
Both eclipses will occur beyond the contiguous U.S. A globe displays both eclipse tracks in the lower right corner of the NASA map. Mexico, Central America, and South America experience the annular eclipse (yellow and black). Mexico and northeastern Canada will experience the purple-black total eclipse. Shaded bands (yellow for annular eclipses and purple for complete eclipses) show partial eclipses. In October 2023, southeastern Alaska will see a partial eclipse, while in April 2024, Hawaii will.
So here is,
Making the Map of Solar Eclipse 2024:
A Scientific Visualization Studio (SVS) member at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center “Michala Garrison.” uses her geography and cartography expertise to create a map that integrates data from multiple sources within NASA.
Shuttle Radar Topography Mission provided Earth elevation data, while Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mapped Moon’s shape. NASA’s Navigation and Ancillary Information Facility software and data determined the Sun, Moon, and Earth’s locations.
The question here is,
What are the efforts of Michala Garrison?
Michala Garrison decided to enhance the path of the total solar eclipse 2024 by incorporating NASA’s Black Marble nighttime imagery, showcasing the illuminated city lights on Earth’s night side captured by the Suomi NPP spacecraft. The color for the land was provided by the NASA Earth Observatory team’s global satellite image mosaic known as Blue Marble.
Garrison wanted the map to motivate people to visit the annular and total eclipse pathways, which she didn’t do the last time the Moon’s shadow crossed the continental U.S.
“In 2017, I was in Maryland, so I still got to see a little bit, because I was in a partial eclipse,” she said. “But I didn’t really know any of this back then. This does make me want to go to, say, Albuquerque in 2023. And then in 2024 to go more south.”
Garrison made numerous adjustments to make the Solar eclipse 2024 map beautiful and valuable for eclipse planners inside and outside the pathways.
“It took a lot of trial and error. I wanted it to be useful to the reader but not overwhelming – and still be a pretty product to look at to catch people’s eye.”
