The moon lined up perfectly between the Earth and the sun in a total eclipse over the South Pacific, at about 12:42 (T&T time), today.
Over the next few hours, it will sweep across North America, entering Mexico, cutting diagonally from Texas to Maine, before exiting over eastern Canada into the Atlantic.
Practically everyone in North America will have a chance at catching at least a partial eclipse.
The farther from the path of totality, the smaller the moon’s bite will be out of the sun. In Seattle, less than a quarter of the sun will be swallowed. In Miami, it’ll be about half.
FILE - This combination of photos shows the path of the sun during a total eclipse by the moon Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, near Redmond, Ore. On April 8, 2024, spectators who aren't near the path of totality or who get cloudy weather on eclipse day can still catch the total solar eclipse, with NASA, science centers and media organizations planning to stream live coverage online from different locations along the path. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Ted S. Warren
There is the possibility that some locations may be able to spot four planets and a comet, when the sky is dark.
Jupiter will be to the left of the sun and Venus to the right. Saturn and Mars will be to the right of Venus, but fainter. The solar system’s three other planets will be in the vicinity, but virtually impossible to see with the naked eye.
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is swinging past Earth, as it does every 71 years. Still faint, it will be positioned near Jupiter during the eclipse.
Meanwhile… The International Space Station’s astronauts will have three chances to catch the eclipse, according to NASA.
After two opportunities above the Pacific, the station will pass over Maine and New Brunswick, Canada, near the time of totality, providing the crew’s best view of the moon’s shadow racing across the continent.
Like everyone 270 miles (435 kilometres) below, the four U.S. and three Russian astronauts are hoping for clear skies.