A dramatic view of the sun at 'solar maximum' will await eclipse-chasers on April 8, 2024, during North America's total solar eclipse.
Only those within a 125-mile (200 km) wide path of totality can glimpse the sun's corona — its hotter outer atmosphere — with their naked eyes during totality. Only during the exact moment of totality, when the moon completely obscures the sun can you look with the naked eye. At all other times, precautions need to be taken. It's a sight to behold, whatever the level of solar activity, but the latest predictions have the sun reaching the peak of its current cycle in 2024, the corona now looks set to be at its largest and spikiest just in time for totality. With cameras much improved since the last solar maximum in 2012, unique images will be possible.
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REMEMBER to NEVER look at the sun directly. To safely view this solar eclipse you must use solar filters at all times. Only during the exact moment of totality, when the moon completely obscures the sun can you look with the naked eye. At all other times, precautions need to be taken. Observers will need to wear solar eclipse glasses, and cameras, telescopes and binoculars must have solar filters placed in front of their lenses.
According to a statement from solar physicists at NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), the sun will now peak in its current activity cycle between January and October 2024, a year earlier than previous estimates.
The sun has a cycle of roughly 11 years, during which it waxes and wanes between solar minimum and solar maximum. It's a cycle driven by the sun's magnetic field. The number of sunspots on its surface is how scientists figure out at what stage of the cycle the sun is at.
During totality at a total solar eclipse, the naked eye sees the difference between the two extremes, which is obvious. "At solar minimum, when the sun is quiet, structure in the corona is confined to the equators," said French. "Long, stretching 'streamers' and visible emanating from the sun." However, during a solar maximum eclipse-chasers can expect some activity in the corona stretching beyond the equators and up to the poles. "If you see an eclipse during this active period, the sun's corona may look like the traditional 'star' shape that you likely drew as a child, with streamers pointing in all directions," said French.
The difference between the sun during total solar eclipses is most easily seen by comparing images from expert eclipse photographer Fred Espenak. For example, this image taken close to the last solar minimum on July 2, 2019, in Chile shows the corona at its smallest, more or less, with defined streamers at the poles and with few prominences. Fast-forward four years to April 20, 2023, and the sun in eclipse is closer to solar maximum, this time from a cruise ship off Western Australia, showing the corona much larger and more defined, with prominences everywhere.
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Once you've looked at the corona and appreciated its size, there's no better close-up in astronomy than the view of the corona through any pair of binoculars or a small telescope. The former is easy enough to leave hanging around your neck (but just be sure not to point any optical equipment at the un-eclipsed sun — you'll need solar filters for that).
Either way, the view of the sun in eclipse on April 8 should have millions of Americans aiming to reach the path of totality. Those who don't will get a partial solar eclipse and completely miss out on an extraordinary sight.
Originally posted on Space.com.