Eclipses
There are differences between the 2017 and 2024 eclipses, including the length of totality and the width of the path. More people will experience totality in 2024 during solar maximum.
Differences in Eclipse Characteristics
The 2017 and 2024 eclipses differ in several ways. In 2017, the maximum length of totality was 2 minutes 40 seconds, while in 2024 it will be 4 minutes 28 seconds. Additionally, the width of the path of totality was about 70 miles in 2017 and will be around 115 miles in 2024. These differences mean that many more people will experience totality in 2024.
It's important to note that these differences are due to simple geometry. The distance from Earth to the sun does change throughout the year, but it does not significantly affect the distance to the sun during these eclipses. During the peak of the 2017 eclipse, the moon was 231,155 miles away from Earth, while on April 8, 2024, it will be 223,392 miles away. This slight difference in distance means that on April 8, 2024, the moon's conical shadow on Earth will have a larger diameter, resulting in a wider path of totality.
In 2017, the path of totality was 62 to 71 miles wide, while on April 8, 2024, it will range between 108 and 122 miles wide. This means that the 2024 eclipse will cover a much larger area of Earth.
What to Expect During the Eclipse
If you're planning on viewing the eclipse, be sure to use solar eclipse glasses during the partial phases. These glasses will allow you to safely observe sunspots, which are dark areas of magnetic activity on the sun's surface, close to its equator. During totality, you may also get a chance to see a larger corona, streamers throughout the corona, and prominences, which appear as bright, pink curls or loops coming off the sun.
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About the Author
Jamie Carter is an experienced science, technology, and travel journalist with a passion for stargazing and astronomy. He specializes in writing about exploring the night sky, solar and lunar eclipses, moon-gazing, astro-travel, astronomy, and space exploration. Jamie is the editor of [publication] and author of [book], and he is a senior contributor at Forbes. His unique ability to translate technical jargon into plain English makes his writing accessible to a wide audience.
