A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun and the Moon blocks the Sun for a viewer on Earth. During a total eclipse, the Moon lines up perfectly to fully obscure the Sun, resulting in “totality”; in a partial eclipse, the Moon and the Sun are not perfectly aligned and only part of the Sun is blocked; and during an annular eclipse, alignment is perfect but the Moon is too far away from the Earth to completely obscure the Sun. The fact that a total solar eclipse is visible from Earth only along a very narrow path for just a few short minutes makes totality one of nature’s rarest events.

Source: https://nationaleclipse.com/index.html

Most people who have seen a total eclipse have described it as the most spectacular natural event they have ever witnessed. It starts as the Moon slowly obscures more and more of the Sun. As the eclipse deepens, the world around you takes on a strange tint and shadows become sharp and detailed. When just a thin crescent of light can be seen through your eclipse glasses, daylight begins to fade and rippling “shadow bands” might be seen on the ground. And then “totality,” as the soft wisps of the solar corona surround a huge hole where the Sun used to be. You might notice a temperature drop and birds flying home to their nests. You’re standing in a strange twilight, while a “sunset” glows all around you. Finally, totality comes to an end and the events occur in reverse order.

Source: https://nationaleclipse.com/index.html

Culture, Myths, and Legends

Myths and stories surround solar eclipses. Many cultures view eclipse events differently. People who’ve experienced totality describe the event as life changing.

Where will you be during the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse? Will you spend time with family? Friends? Will you travel  or is the eclipse happening where you live?

Read about different cultures and reactions to the solar eclipse here: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar-eclipse-myths.html

About this Image: The total phase of the August 21, 2017, solar eclipse as seen from Madras, Oregon. This is a composite of short, medium, and long exposures, as no single exposure can capture the huge range of brightness exhibited by the solar corona. The star to the left (east) of the eclipsed Sun is Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo. Much fainter Nu (ν) Leonis is visible at upper right. No filter was used during the exposures, as totality is about as bright as the full Moon and just as safe to look at. At all other times, though, a safe solar filter is required to observe or photograph the Sun.

Credit: Rick Fienberg / TravelQuest International

Image Source: https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety

Here you’ll find some of the best websites and resources available about the upcoming 2024 Solar Eclipse. Dig deep, ask questions, discover!

Regional and State Resources

See what our partners are doing locally and across the United States:

Learn more about Astronomers Without Borders and
the Solar Glasses recycling program.

After we emerge from totality…after the sky has brightened…after the traffic clears…what will happen to your eclipse glasses?

WonderLab is delighted to be a node for the Astronomers Without Borders Solar Glasses Recycling Campaign.

Bring your glasses to WonderLab for recycling! Your glasses will be vetted for reusability and donated to other locations for use during future eclipse events.

Drop yours off in the donation bin in the WonderLab lobby through April 2024.