It’s finally here: the great eclipse of 2024.
The last total solar eclipse to cross the border into the United States took place in August 2017, according to NASA. Another will not cross again for 20 years.
Crowds of people are heading to the Midwest and East, where the eclipse will be most dramatic.
And even though California won’t experience totality, there’s still plenty to see.
Here’s a quick guide:
The basics
Total eclipse: Midday darkness will extend across a handful of states, including Texas, Illinois, Ohio and New York – but there won’t be “totality” in Los Angeles.
Partial eclipse: In Los Angeles, about half of the sun will be visibly covered by the moon, and in San Francisco, a third will be.
The northernmost areas of the state will experience the smallest amount of eclipse, while southern cities will experience more.
The timing
In Los Angeles, the action begins at 10:06 a.m. Significant sun blockage will be evident at 10:39 a.m. and peaks at 11:12 a.m. At 12:22 p.m., it will be over, according to the Griffith Observatory. .
There will be lots of events locally.
Safety, glasses, phones
Search up: The first rule of a solar eclipse is not to look at the sun without specialized eclipse glasses or a solar observer. It’s not prudent. If you watch the eclipse without protection, it will cause serious eye injury, according to NASA.
Use the right glasses: Here are some safety and eyewear tips.
Take photos: Even taking photos with your phone can pose risks to your eyes. Accidentally including the sun in a photo for a quick snapshot isn’t really a camera security issue. But the experts have tips.
And finally …
Enjoy the day! Rare moments can bring people together. At least that’s what some scientists think.
Of course, they can also trigger end-times conspiracies (please ignore them!).
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