On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will be visible across North America, from Texas to Maine. But for those who can’t wait that long, there’s another eclipse coming in just a few years. On April 8, 2023, a partial solar eclipse will be visible from parts of the Americas, Europe, and Africa.
The path of the 2023 eclipse was recently revealed by NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). The eclipse will begin over the North Atlantic Ocean, then move eastward towards the Iberian Peninsula, where it will be visible as a partial eclipse. It will then cross over North Africa and the Middle East, before ending in Asia.
The best views of the eclipse will be from the western coast of Africa, where it will be visible as a partial eclipse with up to 90% coverage of the sun. In Europe, the eclipse will be visible as a partial eclipse with up to 50% coverage in Portugal and Spain, and up to 40% in France and Italy. In North America, the eclipse will not be visible, but those in the path of totality for the 2024 eclipse may be able to see a partial eclipse a few months earlier.
Solar eclipses occur when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, casting a shadow on the Earth’s surface. Total eclipses occur when the moon completely blocks out the sun, while partial eclipses occur when the moon only partially blocks the sun. Solar eclipses are rare events, with only a few occurring each year, and their paths of totality are even rarer.
For astronomers and eclipse chasers, the 2023 eclipse is a chance to witness a rare astronomical event. But for the general public, it’s a reminder of the beauty and wonder of our universe, and a chance to appreciate the natural world around us.
So mark your calendars for April 8, 2023, and get ready for a partial solar eclipse visible from parts of the Americas, Europe, and Africa. It may not be a total eclipse, but it’s still a rare and amazing sight to behold.
