The next total solar eclipse is in April: Here's what to know and where to see it
Monday, 01 April 2024 17:40
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Don't be alarmed when the sky goes dark on April 8. A total solar eclipse will traverse North America, crossing Mexico, the United States, and Canada. This event will mark the only total solar eclipse visible from the United States until 2044. The full path of totality, as it's called, will begin on Mexico's Pacific Coast, cross northwestern Pennsylvania and New York state, and exit at the Atlantic Coast of Newfoundland, Canada.
A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, completely obscuring the sun from view. Those situated in the path of totality will see the moon fully cover the sun, the resulting shadow plunging the area into darkness during the day.
If the weather permits, spectators may also observe the "ring of fire," a term NASA uses to describe the stunning visual effect when the sun's outer atmosphere is visible as a luminous ring around the moon's silhouette against the darkened sky.
Here's what you need to know to experience this awe-inspiring event.
When is the next total solar eclipse?
The total solar eclipse will occur on April 8.
Tips to safely watch the total solar eclipse
Monday, 01 April 2024 15:47 Write a comment
On April 8, North America will experience a total solar eclipse, stretching across parts of Mexico, the U.S. and Canada, with approximately 31.6 million people living in the path of totality. According to NASA, every contiguous state in the U.S., along with parts of Alaska and Hawaii, will witness at least a partial solar eclipse.
With all eyes toward the sky during an eclipse, Dr. Dawn Davis, a dermatologist at Mayo Clinic, says it's important to protect your eyes and your skin from ultraviolet (UV) light damage. You'll need eye protection with special-purpose solar filters for viewing, and you should take precautions to safeguard your skin from the sun's rays during long periods outside.
And when it comes to protection, she says sunscreen is for the skin only—never for the eye itself.
A total solar eclipse is when the moon completely blocks the sun, temporarily darkening the sky. Looking directly at the sun can cause damage to the retina due to the strong amount of UV light.
"If you would like to see the solar eclipse, you will need to have special solar eclipse glasses," says Dr.
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Japan moon probe put to sleep again
Monday, 01 April 2024 07:28 Write a comment
Japan's valiant moon lander was put to sleep again after unexpectedly surviving its second ultra-chilly long lunar night, the space agency said Monday.
The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM)—dubbed the "Moon Sniper" for its landing precision—touched down in January, making Japan only the fifth nation to achieve a soft lunar landing.
But the unmanned lightweight spacecraft, carrying a mini-rover that moves like a turtle, landed at a wonky angle that left its solar panels facing the wrong way.
Defying pessimistic predictions, the probe was revived in late February once the lunar night—which lasts about 14 Earth days—ended.
Despite facing temperatures as low as -130 degrees Celsius (-200 degrees Fahrenheit), it repeated the feat last week and transmitted new images back to Earth.
On Monday, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced the probe has been put back to sleep again on Sunday.
"During this operation, we mainly checked the status of several devices by turning on switches and applying loads," JAXA said on social media platform X.
"Although there are some malfunctions in some functions of MBC, it still works, so we are carefully checking its status," it said, referring to the Multi-band Camera used to examine lunar rocks.
SpaceX launches Eutelsat 36D, lands booster on seventh reuse anniversary
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Sunday, 31 March 2024 16:31 Write a comment
SpaceX on Saturday launched a Falcon9 rocket supporting the Eutelstat 36D mission from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The rocket took off at 5:52 p.m. EST, right at the open of a two-hour time window SpaceX had previously given for launch.
The payload is a Eutelsat 36D geostationary telecommunications satellite, which is designed to provide TV broadcasting and government se Mars Express achieves 25,000 orbits
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The United States Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) marked a significant achievement on March 25 with the discovery of the 5000th comet by its Sungrazer Project, utilizing data from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), a collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA.
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