Total Solar Eclipse in 2024: A Rare and Spectacular Event Visible from All of the Lower 48 U.S. States

Avon Lake, Ohio United States of America
On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will pass over the United States.
The path of totality for this solar eclipse will run first through Texas and then up through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky,
Total Solar Eclipse in 2024: A Rare and Spectacular Event Visible from All of the Lower 48 U.S. States

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will pass over the United States. This is a rare event that only happens about two decades apart and will be visible from all of the lower 48 U.S. states (USAToday). The moon's shadow can only strike Earth when a new moon crosses the ecliptic at precisely the right time, causing this phenomenon (Space).

The path of totality for this solar eclipse will run first through Texas, then up through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Slivers of both Tennessee and Michigan also fall into the path (WSAV).

The moon's shadow can only strike Earth when a new moon crosses the ecliptic at precisely the right time. This is why it is important to note that this event will occur during 2024's first (and best) eclipse season, which features two eclipses - one of the moon by the Earth and one of the sun by the moon (Space).

The surreal midday darkness of a total solar eclipse is an incredible sight to behold. However, seeing it requires some planning. Clouds may block the view in some areas but high wispy clouds won't spoil the show if they are present (USAToday). It is important to note that outside of the path of totality, there is no such thing as a 99.9% total eclipse; even if you are only just outside by just a couple of miles, and it says 99.9% of the sun is covered up, that means you still have .1% of the sun showing (WSAV).

For those in Ohio, Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Avon Lake will be literally going to be hallowed ground during total solar eclipse as it is located right on the center line. Many 'eclipse chasers' believe that this is the only place to witness a total solar eclipse (WSAV).

The moon moving through Earth's outer shadow in space, known as penumbral lunar eclipse, will occur two weeks prior to the total solar eclipse on March 25. This event will be visible from all of North and South America (CBSNews).



Confidence

100%

No Doubts Found At Time Of Publication

Sources

60%

  • Unique Points
    • The upcoming celestial performance will be a penumbral lunar eclipse
    • March's full moon, referred to as the worm moon by the Farmers Almanac due to its proximity to the spring equinox, will be at its fullest at 3 a.m. ET
    • The greatest eclipse will be at 3:12 a.m. ET when the moon appears slightly darker than usual
  • Accuracy
    • A penumbral lunar eclipse is visible only to those who are on the night side of Earth during this event, including Europe, North and East Asia, Australia, Africa, North America and South America
  • Deception (50%)
    The article is misleading in several ways. Firstly, it states that the worm moon will be visible to everyone across the world when it appears full for a couple of days. However, this statement is incorrect as only those on the night side of Earth can see the penumbral eclipse during its occurrence.
    • The article claims that 'everyone' can see the worm moon when it appears full for a couple of days. This is not true as only those on the night side of Earth can see it.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority by citing Dr. Shannon Schmoll as a source for information about the lunar eclipse. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing the moon's appearance during the eclipse as 'almost a gradient of darkening happening from one side of the moon to another'. Additionally, there is an example of dichotomous depiction in reference to how different parts of Earth will experience the lunar eclipse. The article also contains examples where statements made by anyone other than Taylor Nicioli are quoted and used as evidence for a claim.
    • Dr. Shannon Schmoll, director of the Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University
    • The moon will be almost perfectly aligned with the sun and Earth, causing the outer edge of Earth's shadow, known as the penumbra, to be cast onto the glowing orb.
    • A few hours earlier starting at 12:53 a.m. ET,
  • Bias (85%)
    The article contains a statement that the worm moon will be visible to everyone across the world. However, this is not entirely true as only those on the night side of Earth when the event occurs will see it.
    • ]worm moon — named by Native American tribes in reference to the beetle larvae and other creatures that emerge from hibernation in the spring— will be visible to everyone across the world, since the moon will appear to be full for a couple of days. However, this is not entirely true as only those on the night side of Earth when the event occurs will see it.
    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
      The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of lunar eclipses as they are reporting for CNN which is an organization that covers news and events related to various topics including space. The article also mentions Farmers Almanac and Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University, both organizations have a vested interest in astronomy and may be biased towards certain aspects of the lunar eclipse.
      • The article mentions Farmers Almanac and Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University, both organizations have a vested interest in astronomy and may be biased towards certain aspects of the lunar eclipse.
        • The author is reporting for CNN which covers news and events related to various topics including space.

        85%

        • Unique Points
          • The April 2024 total solar eclipse will pass over the United States on April 8, 2024.
          • It is a rare event that only happens about two decades apart and will be visible from all of the lower 48 U.S. states.
          • Clouds may block the view in some areas but high wispy clouds won't spoil the show if they are present.
        • Accuracy
          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
        • Deception (50%)
          The article contains several examples of deception. Firstly, the author claims that 'seeing the sight for yourself requires some planning'. However, this is not true as it is possible to view a total solar eclipse without any prior knowledge or preparation. Secondly, the author states that 'the exact time of the eclipse varies by where you are in its path', but this statement contradicts itself as it provides an accurate time for each state. Thirdly, the article claims that 'most likely, yes — especially after the eclipse ends'. However, there is no evidence to support this claim and it appears to be speculation.
          • The statement 'seeing the sight for yourself requires some planning' is false. It is possible to view a total solar eclipse without any prior knowledge or preparation.
        • Fallacies (85%)
          The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing the surreal midday darkness of a total solar eclipse as 'none quite like' and 'a night-like darkness over Earth'. They also use an appeal to authority by stating that NASA says a total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth. The author uses dichotomous depiction when describing totality as being visible in only one location, Texas, which is considered the best state for viewing. Additionally, there are several instances of inflammatory rhetoric used to describe traffic congestion during and after the eclipse.
          • The surreal midday darkness of a total solar eclipse will pass over the United States on April 8, 2024
          • a narrow strip of land is plunged into the moon's shadow
          • You'll briefly be able to look up without eye protection and see the moon block the sun
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        78%

        • Unique Points
          • The moon's shadow can only strike Earth when a new moon crosses the ecliptic at precisely the right time.
          • A total solar eclipse exactly two weeks later that will be seen across North America. This is during 2024's first (and best) eclipse season, which features two eclipses - one of the moon by the Earth and one of the sun by the moon.
        • Accuracy
          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
        • Deception (80%)
          The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that the full moon on March 25 will cause a penumbral lunar eclipse for the night side of Earth. However, this statement is incorrect as there was no lunar eclipse on March 25 or any other date mentioned in the article.
          • The author claims that 'every 173 days, for between 31 and 37 days, the moon intersects (or almost intersects) the ecliptic' but this statement is incorrect as there were no lunar eclipses during this time period.
          • The article states that 'the full moon on March 25 will cause a penumbral lunar eclipse for the night side of Earth' but this statement is incorrect as there was no lunar eclipse on March 25 or any other date mentioned in the article.
        • Fallacies (85%)
          The article contains an example of a fallacy known as 'False Dichotomy'. The author presents the idea that there will be two eclipse seasons in 2024 and one of them will have three solar and lunar eclipses. However, this is not true. According to timeanddate, only two solar and lunar eclipses are scheduled for 2024.
          • The author states that there will be two eclipse seasons in 2024 each featuring two solar eclipses and two lunar eclipses. However, this is not true.
        • Bias (85%)
          The author is biased towards the topic of eclipse seasons and their significance. They use language that deifies the sun and moon, such as 'majestic' and 'spiky white corona'. The author also uses phrases like 'interesting astronomical event', which implies a sense of wonderment at something natural rather than objectivity.
          • Every 173 days, for between 31 and 37 days,
            • The full "Worm Moon" will cause a penumbral lunar eclipse for the night side of Earth, including North and South America, Europe, East Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication

            71%

            WSAV-TV

            WSAV-TV Dave Nethers Sunday, 17 March 2024 17:01
            • Unique Points
              • On April 8 in Ohio, Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Avon Lake is literally going to be hallowed ground during total solar eclipse. The church grounds are in the very center of the path of totality.
              • Many 'eclipse chasers' believe that the only place to witness a total solar eclipse is from that center line.
            • Accuracy
              No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
            • Deception (50%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Fallacies (75%)
              The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority when quoting Dr. Angela Speck and Dr. Rick Feinberg without providing any context or qualification for their expertise in the topic of solar eclipses.
              • > Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Avon Lake is literally going to be hallowed ground during total solar eclipse.
            • Bias (85%)
              The article contains examples of religious bias and monetary bias. The author uses the phrase 'hallowed ground' to describe the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Avon Lake being located on the path of totality during a total solar eclipse. This implies that there is some sort of spiritual significance or importance attached to this location, which could be seen as promoting religious beliefs and values.
              • The church grounds are in the very center of the path of totality.
              • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                The author has multiple conflicts of interest on the topics provided. The article discusses Dr. Angela Speck and Dr. Rick Feinberg as members of the American Astronomical Society's Solar Eclipse Task Force, which could create a conflict of interest if they have financial ties or personal relationships with companies or organizations that may benefit from eclipse chasing.
                • Dr. Angela Speck
                  • Dr. Rick Feinberg

                  68%

                  • Unique Points
                    • The penumbral lunar eclipse is one of three different types of lunar eclipses: total, partial and penumbral.
                    • March's full moon will reach peak illumination at 1 a.m. ET on Monday, but it will appear full through Tuesday morning.
                  • Accuracy
                    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
                  • Deception (30%)
                    The article is misleading in several ways. Firstly, it states that the full moon will reach peak illumination at 1 a.m. ET on Monday but it actually reaches its peak illumination at 1:00 AM EDT on Tuesday morning according to NASA.
                    • The article incorrectly states that the full moon will reach peak illumination at 1 a.m. ET on Monday, when in fact it is not until 3:29 am EST.
                  • Fallacies (85%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Bias (85%)
                    The author uses the term 'penumbral lunar eclipse' to describe a unique event that is not well known. The author also mentions that it will be visible in North and South America which implies they are biased towards those regions.
                    • It's easy to miss if you don't know it's happening. During the eclipse, the moon will dim very slightly for a few nighttime hours.
                    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                      None Found At Time Of Publication
                    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                      None Found At Time Of Publication