On April 8, 2024, people from around the globe will flock to spots ranging from Mazatlán, Mexico to Erie, Pennsylvania to witness the most compelling of cosmic shows: a total solar eclipse that will blot out the sun’s radiance for four awe-inspiring minutes.
Whether you’re a self-proclaimed “umbraphile”—the official term for an eclipse chaser—or happen to live on the 4,200-mile path of totality, this year’s impending celestial performance is likely provoking a tremendous amount of excitement.
For some, though, it may be prompting just as many questions: Can peering at a total solar eclipse cause blindness? Does it affect mental health? Is eclipse sickness real, and is the glorious event really a harbinger of a catastrophe? Most importantly, perhaps, what’s the safest way to enjoy it?
We have the answers so that you can revel in the spectacle armed with both delightful and essential knowledge.
What is a total solar eclipse, exactly?
Consider a total solar eclipse an epic alignment. During these events, the moon passes between the sun and Earth, blanketing parts of our planet in pure darkness for a brief but stunning spell.
Much of the thrill in witnessing a total solar eclipse is that it occurs incrementally (if ever there’s a way to ramp up your exhilaration). It commences with a partial eclipse, wherein it appears the moon is biting into the sun. As the moon continues on its route, rays of sunlight illuminate the moon’s valleys and showcase drops of incandescence—what scientists refer to as “Baily’s Beads.” When totality happens, a shadow falls upon Earth, and with it arrives a plunge in the day’s temperature and a moment of utter quiet in the natural world as animals fall silent. Breathtaking? One hundred percent. Unforgettable? That too.
What is the history and lore of total solar eclipses?
Witnessing a total solar eclipse in our day and age is certainly miraculous but imagine the upset that it triggered when the first recorded total solar eclipse occurred in Ugarit (what’s now Syria) in 1375 BC. It must have been, well, frightening.
We have astronomists to thank for both giving us a heads-up on the sky’s most monumental events as well as our depth of knowledge. Then, however? It’s no wonder that an enormous shadow covering the circumference of the sun inspired so many myths and legends, many of which still exist today.
What are the main myths surrounding total solar eclipses?
The moon and sun have long prompted both fear and wonder; even the very word “lunacy” has its roots in the moon’s cycle. A total solar eclipse intensifies both, no matter that we have a deeper understanding of the universe than ever before.
As this year’s total solar eclipse approaches, you may hear chatter along the lines of the following:
Myth: Total solar eclipses cause blindness
True: If you stare into the sun as you await the eclipse, there’s a slight chance of experiencing retinal damage. But the bright corona that occurs during a total solar eclipse does not cause blindness, nor do the sun’s rays during eclipses trigger any more damage than usual. Take it from the brilliant minds at NASA: “Being a billion times fainter than the light from the sun itself, there is nothing in the coronal light that could cross 150 million kilometers of space, penetrate our dense atmosphere, and cause blindness.”
That said, precautions should be taken if you’re planning on traveling to Mexico, Canada, or one of the 13 states in the eclipse’s path of totality—a topic we’ll look at below.
Myth: Food you prepare during a total solar eclipse will spoil
As wild as it may seem, some people believe that food made during a total solar eclipse will cause poisoning—a fable that appeared right alongside the inaccurate notion that the sun’s rays are harmful during an eclipse.
But it is just that: A fable. Yes, the sun’s radiation can be damaging, of course (hello, skin conditions!), but it won’t cast a spell on your cuisine as the moon crosses its path.
Myth: Eclipses are omens of an impending disaster
The idea that eclipses are a supernatural phenomenon, perhaps even a sign that the heavens are demonstrating their disapproval, has reigned for centuries. Pliny the elder believed solar eclipses precipitated lightning strikes. Many thought the Black Plague was due to the total solar eclipse of 1652; others blamed it for the Great London Fire. Aztecs believed that the sun disappeared because a jaguar was about to eat it. Ancient Greeks viewed eclipses as signs that the gods were about to strike down their punishment.
As tempting as it might be to blame natural occurrences for both large calamities and small mishaps, consider anything bad that happens during this time nothing more than mere coincidence—and as unlikely as Mercury in retrograde causing electronic malfunctions and a flat tire.
Myth: “Eclipse sickness” is real
Your social feed might be ablaze with talk about “eclipse sickness,” the belief being that total solar eclipses can create a host of physical and emotional problems, such as:
- Dizziness
- Balance issues
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Frustration
- Flu-like symptoms
To compound this, rumors indicate that total solar eclipses cause emergency rooms to overflow with patients, much in the same way as full moons. Not only has the folktale that more people head to the ER during a full moon been debunked but experts also say that eclipses have no influence on health. If hospitals do see a spike in visits on April 8th, it will probably be caused by the effects of population surges as cities and towns across the path of totality experience a massive rise in visitors.
How to use the total solar eclipse to jumpstart your goals
All of that being said, just as a full moon symbolizes abundance and the new moon represents fresh starts, nothing precludes you from using a total solar eclipse as inspiration to self-reflect:
- Are there any parts of your life that are causing displeasure?
- Are there habits you’ve adopted that are working against your wholesome intentions?
- Is there room for improvement in your life and well-being—or space to show yourself more self-love and appreciation?
The answers to these questions are as unique as the myriad of places on this year’s eclipse’s path of totality. The point is to use this rather rare, colossal moment as a catalyst to assess where your life and wellness stand—and to reignite your commitment to creating quality in both.
The best places to view the total solar eclipse
If you have the means for last-minute travel or happen to live within driving distance of the top spots on the path of totality, bear in mind that the following places may have the clearest skies and best vantage points for viewing the astronomical exhibition:
- Kerrville, Texas – The small Southern town on the border of Mexico is a prime place to experience all four minutes of the wondrous display (Austin and Dallas will experience only about two minutes of totality). What’s more, NASA will be hosting an event in Kerrville, complete with music and activities for kids.
- Buffalo, New York – The bustling city in upstate New York will witness approximately three minutes and 46 seconds of absolute darkness when the eclipse occurs at 3:18pm EST. Plus, revelers will gather throughout the town’s assortment of parks for “watching parties,” which is bound to only add to the excitement.
- Mazatlán, Mexico – The booming, tropical resort city on Mexico’s Pacific coast will be the first place in North America to perceive the eclipse’s display of light and shadow. NASA will be hosting an event here as well (at Vidanta Mazatlán, to be precise), where you’ll have the opportunity to peer at the marvel through a telescope and learn about astronomy from the experts themselves.
And if you can’t view it in person? Rest assured that it will be live streamed by everyone from NASA to Space.com.
…and how to watch April 8th’s event safely
Whether you live somewhere along the route of the eclipse or have plans to travel to where it can be seen best, it’s vital to remember that optical precautions should be heeded. NASA indicates that the only time to peer at the eclipse without protection is during totality. Prior to the dawning of the sun’s complete blockage, be sure to sport paper eclipse viewers or solar eclipse glasses. Planning to bring along a telescope or binoculars? Ensure it has a filter. Then bask in the magic of the universe: It’ll be your last chance to witness a total solar eclipse for 20 years.~