A solar eclipse 🌓 happens somewhere on Earth at least twice, and as many as five times, per year.

Nine more total solar eclipses will occur over the USA: 2024, 2033, 2044, 2045, 2052, 2078, 2079, 2097, and 2099.

During a solar eclipse, animals 🐕 may act unusually; animals that sleep during the daytime may awaken as they think it is nighttime when the eclipse is happening during the day.

During a solar eclipse, birds 🦜 might stop chirping and return to their nests.

Since the Moon 🌙 is slowly moving away from the Earth, total solar eclipses will no longer be possible in about 500 to 600 million years.

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When you’re getting ready to watch an eclipse, one big thing to remember is the weather. Even a few clouds ☁️can make it hard to see the eclipse! 

Although the Sun ☀️ is 400 times larger than the Moon 🌙, it’s also 400 times farther away, making total solar eclipses possible due to the similar sizes of the Sun ☀️ and the Moon 🌙 in the sky.

A solar eclipse 🌒 only happens at the New Moon 🌙. The Moon has to be between the Sun and Earth for a solar eclipse to happen. The only lunar phase when that happens is the New Moon.

THE NEXT TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE OVER THE USA AFTER APRIL 8, 2024 WILL HAPPEN ON AUGUST 23, 2044

ECLIPSE COUNTDOWN

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Read our article about the super cool solar eclipse of April 8, 2024 >>>>

Solar Eclipse in Numbers

~547 days

On average, a total solar eclipse 🌒 happens somewhere on Earth about once every 547 days.

~ 375 years

On average, a total solar eclipse 🌓 occurs in the same place on Earth only about once every 375 years, although the timeframe can be longer or shorter.

~10 degrees

During a solar eclipse 🌒, you might feel the air getting cooler. The temperature can drop 10 degrees or more.

Always Protect Your Eyes when watching a solar eclipse

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Fun Facts about Space

The Earth is home to an estimated 8.7 million species, although many more are yet to be discovered.

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