Millions of people across North America will witness the incredible spectacle of a total solar eclipse in just a few hours.
But unfortunately for Australian stargazers, the eclipse won’t be visible in our sky as it will take place here at night.
The only way Australians can see it is via the NASA livestream.
A total solar eclipse is a phenomenon that occurs when the moon passes directly in front of the sun, blocking it and casting a shadow on the Earth – what is known as ‘the path of totality’.
The sky will also darken in a similar way to dusk or dawn, which in the past would cause nocturnal animals to wake up, believing that night had arrived.
Millions of people across North America will witness the incredible spectacle of a total solar eclipse within hours
A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the sun’s surface
How can you see the solar eclipse in Australia?
Unfortunately, Australians won’t be able to see the total solar eclipse by staring at the sky.
However, avid stargazers in Australia can watch the total solar eclipse via NASA’s livestream starting at 3am on Tuesday.
Watch the livestream of the solar eclipse at https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/live/.
What time is the solar eclipse in Australia?
Residents of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory can start watching the eclipse’s livestream at 3:23 AM before it reaches totality at 4:40 AM AEST.
Those in Northern Territory, South Australia and Broken Hill should log into the live stream at 2:53am and watch it reach totality at 4:10am ACST.
Residents of Western Australia should start watching at 1:23 a.m. and stay until 2:40 a.m. AWST to witness the totality of the eclipse.
Watch the livestream of the solar eclipse at https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/live/.
When can I see the next total solar eclipse in Australia?
Australia will experience four total solar eclipses between 2024 and 2038. The next one will take place on July 22, 2028 and will last approximately five minutes.
It will pass Western Australia, the Northern Territory, south-west Queensland and New South Wales, including Sydney, for the first time since 1857.
July 22, 2028: Totality will cross from the Kimberley, WA, via NT, southwest Qld, NSW and pass directly over Sydney.
November 25, 2030: In South Africa, North West NSW and Southern Qld.
July 13, 2037: Southern WA, southern NT, western Queensland, running directly over Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
December 26, 2038: Central WA, SA, and along the NSW and Victorian borders.
Eclipse mania sweeps across the United States
The dazzling spectacle has sent Americans into stargazing hysteria, sparking a slew of celebrations, concerts, festivals and viewing parties across the US.
During a mass wedding ceremony in Arkansas, about 300 couples will say “I do” at the same time as the solar eclipse.
Thousands even traveled to witness the solar eclipse, with properties across the US experiencing a huge increase in bookings.
About 32 million Americans live along the eclipse’s route or “path of totality” – which is wider than the eclipse that occurred in August 2017.
According to NASA, this year’s solar eclipse will be 174 to 196 km wide, compared to the path of totality recorded in 2017 of 100 to 114 km.
Dr. Greg Brown, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, said: ‘For observers in North America, this is the best chance to see a total solar eclipse this decade.
“Nothing compares to day turning into night as a result of a total solar eclipse.”
On April 8, the total solar eclipse will be visible along a “path of totality,” starting in Mexico and continuing through Texas, from where it will travel to New England and end in Canada.
At each location along the path of totality, people will see a partial solar eclipse, followed by the total solar eclipse, and then another partial solar eclipse.
The total solar eclipse should be visible for about four minutes.
“North America won’t be in the path of an eclipse totality again until 2033, when an eclipse will cover Alaska,” Dr. Brown added.
“The rest of the US and Canada will have to wait until 2044 and 2045, when there will be a few more solar eclipses to enjoy.”
As with any solar eclipse, it is important not to look directly at the Sun with the naked eye during the event, even through sunglasses, binoculars or a telescope.
A simple pinhole projector, solar eclipse viewing glasses, which can be purchased online, or special solar filters are much safer.
Avid stargazers in Australia will not be able to see the solar eclipse with their own eyes, but they can watch the celestial phenomenon via NASA’s livestream