What time does the eclipse happen? Also, some eclipse terminology.

So we have just over a month to the total solar eclipse! 

Moving forward, most of the posts will be about observing tips, and other things directly related to this eclipse.

This post deals with the times of the eclipse.

First, some terminology:

First contact (C1): the beginning of the eclipse, when the moon first starts covering the sun 

Second Contact (C2): Totality begins: the last rays of sunlight have disappeared behind the moon

Third Contact (C3): Totality ends: the first rays of sunlight start returning 

Fourth Contact (C4): Eclipse ends

Alt: the altitude of the Sun in degrees above the horizon 

Azi: Azimuth- the direction that the sun will be at the time- 0° is due north; 90° due east; 180° due south and so on 

Here are some good sources to use:

https://eclipse2024.org/eclipse_cities/ - credit to Dan McGlaun-  click on a state, then on a town. (Or search)

Please note that Dan uses the 24 hour clock format: 

13:40 is 1:40 local in this case

More on his site in a future post

https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2024-april-8

Search for your area, or the area you plan on visiting 

This page lists the times of the various stages of the eclipse (in standard and 24 hour formats) and also has a map of where the eclipse happens

http://xjubier.free.fr/tse2024map

You’ve hopefully seen this link to the interactive map on my other posts. Click on a location, and you’ll see the circumstances of the eclipse from that area. Xavier Jubier, the creator of this site, uses Universal Time (UT). 

Here’s how to convert:

https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/universal-time/

For example, in Dallas (City Hall) totality starts at 18:40:43, which is 1:40:43 local

(Subtract 5 hours to Central Time= 13:40:43= 1:40:43 p.m.)

I hope this is helpful! 

Next post: a useful (and related) app!


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