The wait is over: The highly anticipated total solar eclipse will occur over midday in the United States on Monday, April 8.
Most Americans will be able to see it in some form, but the distance between your location and the path of totality will determine how much of the sun the moon will cover.
Southern California residents will not be able to see the total eclipse, but they will be able to see the partial eclipse.
Many places in the United States — Rochester, New York, Cleveland, and Austin, Texas, to name a few — will see a total eclipse, completely blocking the sun.
Will the Palm Springs area witness a solar eclipse on April 8? Search your zip code
Search for your zip code below or select a major city to reveal the time, duration, peak and percentage of the eclipse in your area.
When is the solar eclipse?
according to Timeanddate.comwhich tracks solar eclipses, the April 8 eclipse will begin partially visible in California at 10:03 a.m. and end at 12:31 p.m., with the peak expected to be around 11:15 a.m.
How long does a solar eclipse last?
Total solar eclipse They last between 10 seconds to about 7.5 minutes, according to NASA.
The longest total solar eclipse, which will last 7 minutes and 29 seconds, is scheduled to occur on July 16, 2186. The shortest total solar eclipse, which will last 9 seconds, occurred on February 3, 919 AD.
Eclipse forecast for Palm Springs, Riverside area: Could there be clear skies now?
The Coachella Valley may not be in line to see a total solar eclipse, but residents can take solace that it now seems increasingly likely that clouds won't block out the sun in our area.
While previous weather models raised concerns that clouds could obscure locals' view of the unique celestial event, a meteorologist told The Desert Sun on Friday that it should now be clear enough to get a decent view.
The current forecast for the late morning eclipse time is for partly cloudy skies, said Mark Moyde, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in San Diego.
He added: “I don't think there will be enough clouds to obscure the eclipse.”
Moed added that Monday's weather will be determined by a weather system that will affect an area of the American Southwest from the California coast to Arizona. The system is expected to be drier than other recent systems that brought rain and snow to the region because it “doesn't have as much moisture to deal with,” he said.
As a result, the biggest impact on desert dwellers trying to view the eclipse may be the wind, with breezes of 15 to 45 mph expected throughout the Coachella Valley on Monday. Temperatures should be comfortable otherwise, with highs in the lower 70s near San Gorgonio Pass, and temperatures across much of the valley expected to reach the mid-upper 70s.
The story is much the same across the rest of Southern California, with skies clear enough to see the eclipse expected along the coast and in the Inland Empire. In Joshua Tree — always a popular location for viewing celestial events — the current forecast is similar to that for the Coachella Valley with sunny skies and breezy conditions expected.
Map of total solar eclipse
This zoomable map shows the path along which the total eclipse will be seen and where it is expected to peak in each city.
How do I know solar eclipse glasses are safe? How can I safely watch the eclipse without glasses?
If you buy or get eclipse glasses, make sure they are made by companies American Astronomical Society It has been certified as safe.
NASA does not approve the glasses, so be wary of any manufacturer claiming to have been approved by the space agency.
Eclipse glasses Everyone should have an “ISO” (International Organization for Standardization) code. Glasses must also contain Reference number ISO 12312-2.
If you can't find certified glasses, there are other ways to view the eclipse, including using a shadow box you can make yourself. Whatever you do, don't look into the sun without proper protection.
A total eclipse occurs when the moon appears the same size as the sun and blocks the entire disk, resulting in a period of darkness lasting several minutes. The resulting “totality,” when observers can see the outer layer of the Sun’s atmosphere, known as the corona, disorients animals — nocturnal creatures move, and birds and insects fall silent.
Where to watch the eclipse in the California desert
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is no stranger to stunning scenery and a solar eclipse is no exception. Joshua Tree is known for its stunning views of the stars, making it an ideal location to observe this rare astronomical event.
Wherever you are in the park, you'll have no problem enjoying the view with the right eclipse glasses.
Visitors will have to pay a parking fee to enter the park, including a standard admission ticket that ranges from $15 to $30. More information about permits can be found at National Park Service website.
Rancho Mirage Community Park
The Rancho Mirage Public Library will host an event to observe the Moon's passage between the Earth and the Sun. Viewing will take place at Rancho Mirage Community Park, a short walk from the library.
The partial solar eclipse will begin at 10:06 am and end at 12:25 pm, and will reach its peak at 11:14 am, when the moon will obscure 53% of the sun’s disk.
The library is urging people to wear proper eye protection during the event, and has teamed up with the observatory to have certified eclipse glasses on hand. More information about the event and giveaways will be provided closer to the event.
Wait there's more: The Devil's Horned Comet is another reason to look out for it on April 8
As if the solar eclipse wasn't enough, observers on April 8 may also get a glimpse of a rare celestial display “horned,” a dazzling bright comet with a scary name.
The comet, called 12P/Pons-Brooks, earned the more interesting name of “Devil's Comet” when it experienced an outburst, a massive ejection of dust and gases, in July 2023.
Astronomers say that on the day of the Great American Eclipse, Satan's Comet may become visible to the naked eye.
Amateur and professional observers in the Northern Hemisphere will have a unique opportunity to view the comet, which is famous for its periodic explosions of gas and dust.
12P/Pons-Brooks is named after the two astronomers who first discovered it I noticed thatAccording to EarthSky.org – Frenchman Jean-Louis Pons in the early 19th century and British-American William Robert Brooks in 1883.
The comet witnessed repeated explosions as it approached the sun.
Comets are made of ice and dust and can be recognized by their long, moving tails, which are generated when the comet approaches the Sun and heats up. NASA He says.
The Sun's heat leaves gases and dust in the comet's wake, creating a glowing trail that can extend for millions of miles.
Comet Satan's coma-like appearance, dust and gas enveloping its core, has earned it this nickname among observers on Earth.
The solar eclipse will certainly dominate America's attention on April 8, but other planets and stars will appear where the moon blocks the sunlight.
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