DENVER — The United States is two months away from its first total solar eclipse in seven years. A total solar eclipse happens when the moon moves between the Sun and Earth, completely covering the face of the sun. The path of the 2024 total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Certain areas will experience darkened skies as if it were dawn or dusk.
When is the total solar eclipse? The total solar eclipse is set to occur on Monday, April 8, 2024. Colorado will witness a partial solar eclipse, occurring roughly between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., with peak partial eclipse around 12:30 p.m.
Where will the total eclipse be visible? All 48 contiguous states on that date will have at least a partial solar eclipse. The path of totality will pass through communities from Texas to Maine. Longer durations, over 4 minutes long, will extend from Texas as far north as Economy, Indiana, according to NASA. An estimated 31.6 million people live in the path of totality this year, compared to 12 million in the path of the 2017 eclipse. Totality in April’s eclipse is expected to last longer than it did in 2017, with the maximum totality lasting up to 4 minutes, 28 seconds, in an area about 25 minutes northwest of Torreón, Mexico. The longest totality in 2017 was near Carbondale, Illinois, at 2 minutes, 42 seconds.
Credit: TEGNA
What will Colorado see during the eclipse? Depending on your location in Colorado, you will observe a 54% to 78% solar eclipse. The southeast corner of Colorado will experience the greatest amount of totality, with Springfield, Holly, and Lamar seeing about 75% totality during the solar eclipse. The northwest part of Colorado, including Grand Junction, Dinosaur, Craig, and Steamboat Springs, will see less than 60% totality on April 8. Denver will experience 65% totality during the solar eclipse, with the partial eclipse starting at 11:28 a.m. and ending at 1:53 p.m. The maximum eclipse, at 65% totality, is expected at 12:40 p.m. The partial eclipse will last two hours and 25 minutes in Denver.
Solar eclipse totality in Colorado: Springfield – 76% Lamar – 74% Trinidad – 72% La Junta – 72% Limon – 69% Alamosa – 68% Colorado Springs – 67% Denver – 65% Durango – 64% Boulder – 63% Greeley – 63% Leadville – 63% Fort Collins – 62% Grand Junction – 59% Steamboat Springs – 59%
Do I need to wear eclipse glasses? For anyone planning to view the eclipse, you must have properly certified solar glasses to do so safely. Even though it’s a partial eclipse in Colorado, you still must wear properly certified solar glasses. American Paper Optics CEO John Jerit mentioned that you should look for the International Organization for Standardization, ISO, emblem on glasses and packaging. He stated, “The glasses are well constructed and manufactured, and the lenses are tested and certified so that the lenses block out the correct amount of ultraviolet and intense visible light.” Jerit also advised to avoid buying from foreign importers who may offer their glasses at a better cost. Many online resources and maps are available to figure out how long the eclipse will last near you. The National Solar Observatory and Eclipse2024.org offer precise timings and simulations.
Credit: NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio
This map illustrates the paths of the Moon’s shadow across the U.S. during the 2024 total solar eclipse.
Credit: WTOL
Longest time in totality (in minutes) during the total solar eclipse on April 8th.
Credit: AP
The moon is seen passing in front of the sun during a solar eclipse in La Higuera, Chile in 2019. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
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