As you walk through town this afternoon, you’re likely to see people clad in glasses flooding the streets with expressions of awe. The reason? A total solar eclipse, which is expected to begin in Massachusetts at around 2 in the afternoon and will not make another appearance until 2044.
This phenomena occurs when the moon passes directly in front of the sun, preventing any light from hitting the Earth. For a total eclipse to happen, the sun, moon and Earth must be exactly aligned, otherwise it is only a partial eclipse.
Today, the path of totality for the eclipse spans from Texas to Maine. Although Massachusetts isn’t in this line, residents will still be able to witness the eclipse as the sun is partially obstructed.
Although the event is brief, minor changes are expected to occur within the environment. The air will become cooler as the light is blocked out, and nocturnal animals such as crickets are expected to make an appearance during the event. Officials are also advising spectators to wear special eclipse glasses, as staring directly into the sun can cause eye damage.
Here is more information about when and how to safely view the Eclipse.
