How to Broadcast the Only Total Solar Eclipse of the Year
There was once a light in our lives, but now we mostly fall apart after spending a year trying to navigate life during a pandemic. On top of that, this is also the year of the presidential elections, thanks to which we live in a political powder keg that invariably gives sparks. At times, it can feel like there is nothing we can do to experience even small moments of surprise – or at least get distracted from our current reality.
Now remember on August 21, 2017 , when for a few minutes many people stopped working and took to the streets to witness a total solar eclipse . Unfortunately, this exact scenario is not possible in the United States right now for a number of reasons, but another total solar eclipse will occur on Monday. And while we won’t be able to see it in person, we can join the rest of the world and watch the live stream . Here’s how to do it.
What is a solar eclipse?
If you need a quick refresher, a solar eclipse occurs when the moon appears to be passing in front of the sun. During a total eclipse, 100% of the sun is covered, while a partial eclipse is exactly what it looks like. This chart from NASA lists all solar eclipses between 2011 and 2020. Monday will be the sixth total eclipse in this time period, so they do not happen as often, but do occur regularly. In other words, the sun is getting dark every now and then.
How to broadcast a total solar eclipse
This time the inhabitants of South America will be dedicated to the solar phenomenon. The eclipse will occur this Monday, December 14, and will begin at 8:33 am EST and then end at 1:53 PM EST.
As with the 2017 eclipse, there is a narrow path of totality , which means that those in that particular area will see the moon completely cover the sun, and there will be a partial eclipse in nearby regions. The route is expected to take up to 2 minutes and 10 seconds in total , starting on the continent in Saavedra, Chile, and ending in Salina del Eja, Argentina, before crossing to the Atlantic Ocean.
NASA will begin broadcasting the eclipse from Chile at 9:40 am ET, while the narrated program (in Spanish) will begin at 10:30 am ET. Both will be viewable on Space.com courtesy of NASA or through the agency’s website .