The total solar eclipse takes place this Monday (8) and can be seen in Mexico, the United States and Canada.
++ Last total solar eclipse in the next 20 years in the US will be in less than a week
Therefore, a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon positions itself between the Sun and the Earth in such a way that it ends up casting a shadow on the Earth.
When the Moon blocks all light from the Sun, we have a so-called total solar eclipse – like the one that happens this Monday.
The phenomenon is considered special due to several factors, such as its short duration and reduced visibility range.
Although it happens once or twice a year, it is considered rare because only people who are in a certain area of the planet will be able to see the total eclipse.
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The visibility range is a maximum of 270 kilometers wide, which limits the viewing of the phenomenon. In the case of this Monday’s eclipse, the band covers North America, passing through Canada, the United States and Mexico.
According to an estimate by Time and Date, a website specializing in astronomy, only 0.55% of the world’s population is in countries where the eclipse can be seen in full.
It is worth noting that the phenomenon is also considered rare due to its short duration. It can last for a maximum of 7 and a half minutes, depending on the point in the visibility range.
However, in most countries where it can be seen, it generally lasts 4 to 5 minutes.
Another important point is that, if the sky is overcast, the eclipse will not be visible. Thus, those who want to observe the phenomenon still have to count on the luck that, in the few minutes in which it can be seen, the sky is cloudless.
