Eclipse Soundscapes Apprentice Training

On April 8, 2024,  there will be a total solar eclipse in the United States. During the total solar eclipse, the Moon will pass in front of the Sun completely blocking the Sun from view. This makes the Sun appear as a black disc rather than a glowing ball. When the Moon passes in front of the Sun, it will cast a dark shadow, called the umbra, on Earth. During a total eclipse, the Earth continues to rotate on its axis and both the Moon and Earth keep moving on their orbital paths. Because of this, the umbral shadow moves across Earth’s surface. The imaginary line it creates is known as the path of totality. 

The path of totality is approximately 100 miles wide and will travel across the United States starting in Texas. It will travel in a northeast direction until it leaves the United States across Maine and into Canada. If you are along the path of totality, you will experience a total solar eclipse.

Remember, it is only safe to look at a total solar eclipse without special eclipse glasses for a few minutes during totality, when ALL of the Sun’s powerful rays are blocked. At all other times during the total solar eclipse you MUST protect your eyes if you want to look at the Sun.

It is NEVER safe to look directly at the Sun during a partial eclipse. You must always protect your eyes using eclipse glasses or a solar filter during a partial eclipse. Go to Eclipse Safety Resources for more eclipse safety information and make sure to review the Apprentice Eclipse Safety Lesson too. 

accurate – correct

approximately – almost / more or less

partial eclipse – when the Moon passes in front of the Sun off-center and does not block the surface making the Sun look like a crescent

path of totality – the path across Earth that the umbral shadow creates in which people will experience a total solar eclipse

penumbra/penumbral shadow – the lighter shadow created during a solar eclipse by the Moon blocking the sun’s light from reaching the Earth

solar filter – a filter added on to a camera or telescope that blocks out most of the Sun’s light to allow the user to look at the Sun

umbra/umbral shadow –  the darkest shadow created by the Moon blocking the sun’s light from reaching the Earth during a solar eclipse

Write, draw, or verbally discuss the answers to the following:

• Where in the US will people experience a total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024? 
• Where in the US will people experience a partial solar eclipse on April 8, 2024?
• When and where should you wear special solar filter glasses if you want to look at the Sun on April 8, 2024?

You completed the final lesson.