WRITTEN BY JOSH DEAKIN
On April 8, 2024, a solar eclipse will make its way across North America. Lucky for Mainers, the path of totality for this particular eclipse includes most of Aroostook County, with Houlton being the last town in the continental United States to experience this astronomical phenomenon.
A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking the view of the Sun. In the path of totality, the sky will dim as if it’s twilight with only a glowing halo or corona of the Sun visible from behind the Moon. There is a huge difference from 99% to totality, experts say, and while all of Maine will experience the eclipse, you need to be in the umbral shadow (path of totality) to see the corona and experience it fully.
This eclipse is scheduled to go right over the state of Maine, beginning at 3:28 p.m. Solar eclipses happen two to four times per year, according to NASA, but the area on the ground covered by totality is only about 50 miles wide. In any given location on Earth, a total eclipse happens only once every hundred years or so.
Houlton will be directly in the path of totality beginning at 3:32 p.m., with 3 minutes and 18 seconds of darkness during the eclipse.
Eclipses are a unique experience that offer an excellent time for scientific discoveries. Astronomers across the path of the eclipse are gearing up for what is sure to be an exciting event.
“Eclipses are one of nature’s most incredible spectacles and give us a chance to study the corona in a way only possible during a total solar eclipse. Some major discoveries that have been made during total solar eclipses include the discovery of helium in 1868 and verification of Einstein’s theory of relativity of 1919,” said Shawn Laatsch, director of the Versant Power Astronomy Center at the University of Maine in Orono.
“Eclipses give scientists the opportunity to study the sun under natural circumstances,” said Mary Jo Badger, a retired teacher who now volunteers at the Francis Malcolm Science Center located in Easton. “Scientists are able to measure the temperature of the sun’s corona, which can be seen during a total eclipse. Who knows what other theories or discoveries can be made about the sun, moon, earth, or the universe.”
The corona is the outermost part of the Sun’s atmosphere. Hidden by the bright surface of the Sun or photosphere, total eclipses are the only way we can observe the corona from Earth.
“Modern science looks at total eclipses to better understand how the Sun works,” Laatsch said. Solar winds, created by the outward expansion of plasma from the Sun’s corona, have numerous effects on Earth. Solar winds can create an aurora or Northern Lights, as well as interfere with satellites, mobile phone communications, and power grids, Laatsch said.
“It is also important for astronauts on board the International Space Station and ones who will travel to the Moon and beyond,” Laatsch said. “The Sun is our nearest star and the source of all space weather which affects our planet.”
The Versant Power Astronomy Center team will be traveling to Jackman, Maine to be on the centerline of totality.
This is the line in the direct center of the eclipse, and will have the longest duration of totality. “I’m the Northeast regional coordinator for the CATE2024 (Continental American Telescopic Eclipse) project, which will be taking polarity measurements of the corona,” Laatsch said. “The project will be setting up 35 stations from Texas to Maine to measure and image the corona during the eclipse. My four grad students will be assisting with this project. We will be making public observations on April 8, and doing stargazing the night of April 7, both from the Jackman Town Offices. These are free events and we invite anyone who would like to join us.”
The Francis Malcolm Science Center will also be hosting a special Eclipse Extravaganza event on April 8 from 1-4 p.m. for anyone interested.
“We will be having activities focused on the eclipse, as well as showing the full dome program “Totality!” during the time before the eclipse,” Badger said. “As the eclipse begins, everyone present will be invited to watch as volunteer Jim Stepp explains each stage of the eclipse.”
“Totality!” is a planetarium program that incorporates the full dome. It was produced by the Houston Museum of Science with Rice University. It’s a unique experience that provides significant scientific background on eclipses, including how eclipses happen, how to safely view one, and more.
When viewing the eclipse, it’s important to do so in a safe manner.
“You should never look at the Sun without using a solar filter as it can damage your eyes,” Laatsch said. “Solar filter glasses are usually inexpensive and block out 99.9% of the light and heat making it safe for viewing. Sunglasses do not protect your eyes, they just reduce glare, so make sure to use a proper solar filter or ‘eclipse glasses,’” Laatsch said.
Certified eclipse glasses should be worn for the entirety of the eclipse. If you plan to take pictures or watch with binoculars or a telescope, special filters must be used.
“The safest way would be a pinhole viewer, which requires you to stand with your back to the Sun,” Badger said.
Four days of family fun events are planned for The County, and certified eclipse glasses are available in multiple locations.