NASA Shares Video: Views of Total Solar Eclipse from Space

For the first time in nearly a century, the western and northern regions of New York State and the Mexican beachside resort town of Mazatlan witnessed a total solar eclipse. The eclipse path of totality, where the Moon completely obscures the Sun, created a stir across cities in the United States. The historic event marked the beginning of the partial eclipse in southern Texas near Eagle Pass on the southern border with Mexico. It is significant because the next visibility of a total solar eclipse across the contiguous US won’t occur until August 2044, and an annular eclipse won’t reappear in this part of the world until 2046.

NASA emphasized the importance of using specialized eye protection for solar viewing during the eclipse. It cautioned against looking directly at the Sun without proper eye protection, as it can cause severe eye injury. Using specialized solar filters and safe solar viewing glasses or handheld solar viewers is essential for observing the partial phases before and after totality. Additionally, the eclipse can impact the weather, causing changes in temperature, wind speed, and humidity as the Moon casts a shadow on Earth’s surface.

Scientists can better understand the flow of solar material from the Sun and its interaction with Earth’s upper atmosphere, called the ionosphere, during eclipses. This interaction has implications for GPS and long-distance radio communications due to the effects of space weather on the ionosphere. As a result, the eclipse served as a unique opportunity for scientific observations and heightened public interest in celestial phenomena.