When the Moon blocks the Sun for a few minutes on April 8, those lucky enough to be in the path of totality will experience darkness during the day and a spark above the Sun's corona. However, during totality (only) the planets and the comet are present.
Uranus, Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Neptune, Saturn and Mars are relatively close to the Sun. And so are the other seven planets in the solar system! As a bonus, Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks He will be close to one of them.
The importance of the path of perfection
To have a chance to see anything interesting during the eclipse, you'll need to follow this 115-mile-wide path (below) through five states in northern Mexico, parts of 15 U.S. states, and five Canadian provinces:
Path of Perfection on April 8, 2024.
Michael Zeiler/GreatAmericanEclipse.com
If you're outside of this path—even if you're close to it, 99% of the time you'll see the eclipse—you won't see anything mentioned here. No totality, no darkness, no corona, no planets (well, maybe one), no comet. A „smiling face” sun through the eclipse glasses.
so, Come to the track!
How and When to View the Sun's Corona
When: During perfection.
Spotting the planet during totality is fun, and since totality lasts more than three minutes for some people, there is time to find them in the brief darkness. However, the main sight is the solar corona. It is an awe-inspiring experience for many; All you have to do is look up at a clear sky – and use your naked eye safely. A pair of binoculars offers an incredibly close-up view of the structure of the corona, the pink swirls and prominences around the Moon's limbs.
Note: You want Use solar eclipse glasses for your eyes and solar filters for binoculars at all times except for brief totals.
Top Care Tip: This is what most of the total cost to see—this one An indescribably beautiful sight.
How and when to see Venus
When: Before and after totality.
All in all, Venus is visible to the naked eye. At its magnitude of -3.9, Earth's sister planet is easily detected 15 degrees southeast of the Sun (looking south). This third brightest object in the sky appears 15 minutes before totality.
Top Observation Tip: Check off Venus 10 minutes before totality.
How and When to View Jupiter and Comets
When: During perfection.
Jupiter, shining at magnitude -2, and Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will require a very deliberate effort to spot—and will only be visible during totality. Jupiter's ecliptic will be positioned about 30 degrees northwest of the Sun (as you look south), but easier to see.
If you have your binoculars ready for a stunning view of the solar corona — and you can tear your eyes away from it — you can look for Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks. It is 24 degrees northwest of the Sun, close to Jupiter but between it and the Sun.
However, if Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks has a burst—as it did in July 2023—it's likely to be a mere blip during totality.
Top Observing Tip: With this chart in mind, spend 30 seconds looking at Jupiter first (rehearsal) before jumping to the comet. Then soon return to the eclipsed sun!
Why (and why not) to look for a comet altogether
Some would say that there is absolutely no time to start looking for comets. After all, the eclipsing sun is the reason for traveling the path of totality. And they're mostly right—the solar corona is jaw-dropping in a way that no comet can be.
However, it may be a rare opportunity to see a comet during an eclipse, and in any case, Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is too close to the Sun to be visible at night in its orbit once every 71 years. of the Sun (two weeks after the eclipse it will be near it). If you have a few minutes to spare, it will cost you 30 seconds to catch a comet during an eclipse—a cosmic double header.
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Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
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