Hey kids! On April 8, 2024, something super cool will happen in the sky. The Moon will completely cover the Sun for a while. It’s called a total solar eclipse.
Join Clever Hedgehog and count the days until nature’s greatest show!
WHAT IS A SOLAR ECLIPSE?
ECLIPSE SAFETY
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, and it looks like the Moon is covering the Sun if you’re watching from Earth.
The 2024 eclipse will be first seen in Texas and go a long way up to Maine. This eclipse will pass above lots of big cities, and the Sun will be completely hidden for about 4 minutes!
Always remember to enjoy the eclipse with proper eye protection!
It’s super important to keep your eyes safe during a solar eclipse. Looking directly at the Sun can badly hurt your eyes! That’s why we always use special eclipse safety glasses. Regular sunglasses won’t protect you. And don’t try to use binoculars, telescopes, cameras without special filters — it is risky for your eyes too.
The only time it’s safe to look at a solar eclipse without special glasses is during the short minutes of “totality,” when the Moon completely covers the Sun.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE ECLIPSE
FUN FACTS ABOUT THE ECLIPSE
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, and it looks like the Moon is covering the Sun if you’re watching from Earth.
The Moon starts covering the Sun slowly. It’s like the Sun is playing peek-a-boo with the Moon!
When only a bit of the Sun is left, daylight starts to fade, and you might see cool shadows on the ground.
Then, comes the best part — totality, when the Moon completely covers the Sun. You’ll see the solar corona, a beautiful halo around the Moon.
The sky becomes like twilight, not quite day and not quite night! And when totality ends, the Sun starts peeking out again, and the world goes back to normal.
1. A solar eclipse 🌓 happens somewhere on Earth at least twice, and as many as five times, per year.
2. When you’re getting ready to watch an eclipse 🌓, one big thing to remember is the weather. Even a few clouds ☁️ can make it hard to see the eclipse!
3. During a solar eclipse, animals 🐕 may exhibit unusual behavior; nocturnal animals may become active as they mistake the eclipse for nighttime.
SOLAR ECLIPSE 2024 MAP
The solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, will travel over 13 states of the United States, starting from Texas and ending in Maine.
If you want to see the total eclipse, you need to be in the special path shown on the map.
If you’re outside that path, you’ll only see a partial eclipse, which is still cool!
Can you find the area where you live on the map? How far are you from the Moon’s shadow path?
Solar Eclipse Coloring Page and Fun Activities
SOLAR ECLIPSE | Paper Plate Craft
Make an Eclipse Viewer | Science Project for Kids
