A total solar eclipse is a rare event, and many people have been planning for this one since 2017, the last time the path of totality passed across the United States.
The one coming on Monday, April 8 promises to be even more spectacular. Not only will the total period of darkness be longer on average (at around 4 minutes in the United States as compared to 2 minutes and change in 2017), but the corona should be more pronounced due to phase the sun's poles are in. Called solar maximum, the sun's magnetic poles are at the height of an 11-year peak -- meaning there are frequent solar storms, sunspots, and other bursts of activity -- before they flip back to a less chaotic solar minimum.
A total solar eclipse is the result of the moon passing directly between the sun and the Earth, blocking all sunlight in its path. To see what to expect of the eclipse from where you live, check out the interactive features available from The New York Times, The Washington Post, and NASA.
To fully enjoy this cosmic event, the editors at Music Times have curated a playlist of 48 astronomically appropriate tunes.
If you're in an area where you can view the eclipse, make sure you aren't so absorbed in our playlist to pay attention -- the next total solar eclipse won't be visible in the United States until 2044.
And please, no matter what Bono, Post Malone, or anyone else says, do not stare at the sun without eclipse glasses.
