A total solar eclipse will span the Pacific Ocean, through Mexico, the US and Canada and ends across the Atlantic on April 8.
The phenomenon occurs when the moon passes directly in front of the sun, blocking out the bright surface and revealing the ghostly traces of the sun’s atmosphere.
The alignment must be precise, and this gives rise to a narrow trace of totality from which the total eclipse can be seen.
This month, the track will be about 71 miles (115 km) in diameter. Outside the track, a partial eclipse can be seen, but the further from the track of totality, the smaller the portion of the sun that will be eclipsed.
Observers on the west coast of Ireland and Scotland will be able to see the partial eclipse as the sun sets in the evening.
The total eclipse will be visible in Mexico between 10.51 MDT and 12.32 CST; in the US between 1:27 PM CDT and 3:35 PM EDT; and in Canada between 15:12 EDT and 17:16 NDT.
Searching online for “eclipse track April 8, 2024” will bring up maps and information.
The next solar eclipse visible from London will be a partial eclipse on March 29, 2025.
