A Cosmic Dance: North America Experiences Total Solar Eclipse of 2024

On Monday, millions of people across North America were treated to a breathtaking spectacle as the moon passed between Earth and the sun, causing a total solar eclipse. From Mexico to Canada, the rare celestial event offered onlookers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring dance of the heavenly bodies.

The eclipse began at approximately 9.13 PM Indian Standard Time on Monday, with the moon's umbra, the darkest part of its shadow, touching down around 998 kilometres south of the Republic of Kiribati in the Pacific Ocean at 10.09 PM IST. As the eclipse progressed, the moon continued to obscure the sun, creating a complete darkness momentarily in several countries.

The path of totality, where the moon fully blocked the sun, traversed parts of Mexico, the United States, and Canada, giving residents in those regions a chance to experience this cosmic phenomenon. For a duration of 4 minutes and 28.13 seconds, the sun's corona, the outermost part of its atmosphere, was visible to the naked eye.

While the total solar eclipse was not visible from India, enthusiasts had the opportunity to watch it through live streams hosted by various organizations including NASA.