When a total eclipse occurs, the moon is positioned closer to the earth and aligns perfectly with the sun, causing complete darkness.
DALLAS — On April 8, a total solar eclipse will occur, casting the shadow of the moon, also known as the Umbra, on a narrow path across the Earth. This will result in the path of totality crossing communities from Texas to Maine.
In collaboration with Dallas’s Perot Museum of Nature and Science, WFAA will be the sole local television station providing anchored live streaming coverage from the Perot Museum’s remarkable Great North American Eclipse event, offering North Texans the chance to safely witness this once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon.
In contrast to a total eclipse, an annular eclipse, which occurred last fall, is not a total eclipse. This is due to the distance between Earth and the moon. During an annular eclipse, a “ring of fire” is visible around the moon, while during a total eclipse, the moon is closer to the earth and it perfectly aligns with the sun creating total darkness.
The upcoming total eclipse on April 8, 2024, holds particular significance for DFW due to the following reasons:
1. The last total eclipse experienced by DFW was in 1878.
2. DFW will witness 4.5 minutes of totality on April 8, which is the longest duration of totality in the country.
3. Dallas is the largest metropolitan area in the line of totality.
4. Subsequent to April 8, DFW will not experience a total eclipse for an estimated 300 years.
5. The next opportunities for total eclipses in the United States will be in 2044 (North Dakota and Montana) and 2045 (California to Florida – with totality in Oklahoma).
Numerous online resources and maps are available to determine the duration of the eclipse in your area. You can visit Eclipse2024.org, enter your city or town, and find precise timings and simulations.
For those planning to view the eclipse, it is essential to use properly certified solar glasses for safe viewing.
A limited number of tickets for the Perot Museum’s Great North American Eclipse watch party were made available for sale on Feb. 1 through the museum’s website at perotmuseum.org.
