From what I’ve read, there quite a few solar eclipses in the world every few years, so why is this one in particular so scientifically interesting?
In: Planetary Science
It’s not super special, it’s super convenient.
You are right they happen regularly, but most of the Earth is ocean, so most of them aren’t really in places you have easy access to.
This one isn’t special other than the location where it will be viewed from. Basically it can be seen from an arc from Texas through to Maine.
It’s not really any more interesting than any other solar eclipse. There may perhaps be a bit more interest because the sun is in a bit more of an active phase now, but even with that, it’s just another eclipse. But, that said, solar eclipses are truly amazing to witness. And, it’s passing over large population centers of the United States, so, while it is not really different compared to any other eclipse, it is somewhat unique in that observing it will be so readily accessible for many Americans.
Only one visible from my house in my entire life. Had to go to Nashville (from Ohio) for the last one and getting back was hell. The highways were totally shut down and I had probation the next day. Had to take back roads of Kentucky where my GPS wouldn’t work
There is one thing that might make it *really* special, with the emphasis on “might.”
This one is coming very close to the solar maximum in the Sun’s eleven year cycles between minimum solar activity and maximum. Short answer; this one might allow viewers to see a [coronal mass ejection](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronal_mass_ejection) which would be spectacular.
For people that live in the United States, this will be the last chance to see a total solar eclipse for about 20 years. I’m planning on loading my family up and driving 7 hours to see it. There’s a chance I won’t be around for the next one.
The path of totality will cross over much of the US, giving many people a chance to see it without a big trip. The last US total eclipse was in 2017 and it crossed large sections of the US that didn’t have very dense populations. The one coming up will be crossing much of the most densely populated parts of the US or within an easy drive of them. The next one visible from the lower 48 won’t happen until 2044. So this is the best opportunity people will have to see an eclipse for the next 20 years.
Can’t explain for others, but for me, it’s because I live in the path of totality, which hasn’t happened in 400 years and won’t happen again for 375 years (for my specific region).
There’s normally two solar eclipses a year, so it’s a reasonable question.
Well, this is a total eclipse. Only a little less than half of solar eclipses are total, and there’s a world of difference between a total and a partial eclipse. I’ve seen three eclipses in the last fifteen years, one total and two partial (all three in Oregon!) and the difference is mind-blowing.
This is the last total solar eclipse in the lower 48 for something like the next twenty years. If Americans want to see one after this, they’ll have to either wait two decades or travel. Traveling for eclipses can be a huge pain in the neck; there’s always terrible congestion, traffic, and a lack of hotel and/or camping space, so it’s a big deal to be able to see one near home.
There was an excellent total solar eclipse in America seven years ago in 2017, so people are a little more primed to recognize this as a big opportunity.
It’s special for me because I live at the eclipse crossroads: we had a total eclipse here in ’17 and it was great.
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