North America Witnessed Rare Total Solar Eclipse from Space
By
Marcelo Da Silva Amaral
1 min read
Astronauts on the International Space Station captured the moon's shadow during the total solar eclipse on April 8 as it moved gradually across a continent. NASA intentionally adjusted the ISS's orbit to capture this historic image from 260 miles above southeastern Canada. Weather satellites also captured the moon's shadow, and it was observed that reduced surface temperatures occurred within the shadow on Earth during the eclipse. The next total solar eclipse in North America is scheduled for March 30, 2033, in Alaska.
Key Takeaways
- The International Space Station (ISS) captured historic images of the moon's umbral shadow moving from New York state into Newfoundland during the total solar eclipse on April 8.
- NASA adjusted the ISS's altitude for months to capture the final total solar eclipse in the contiguous U.S. until 2044, resulting in the historic image of the moon's shadow from 260 miles above southeastern Canada.
- Satellite images from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites captured the moon's shadow tracking across the landmass and observed reduced surface temperatures within the shadow during the eclipse.
- The total solar eclipse on April 8 was longer in the U.S. than any since 1806, and some lucky locations experienced totality twice, a remarkable occurrence that happens once every 366 years.
- The next total solar eclipse in North America is scheduled for March 30, 2033, in Alaska, while the next eclipse in the contiguous U.S. will be on August 23, 2044, in Montana and South Dakota.
Do You Know?
- International Space Station (ISS): The ISS is a habitable artificial satellite that orbits the Earth and serves as a space environment research laboratory.
- NOAA's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites: These satellites provide real-time monitoring of weather, atmospheric conditions, and environmental events from a geostationary orbit, offering valuable data for weather forecasting and environmental analysis.