A total solar eclipse seen from atop the Carroll Rim Trail at Painted Hills, Oregon in 2017. Reuters
A total solar eclipse seen from atop the Carroll Rim Trail at Painted Hills, Oregon in 2017. Reuters
A total solar eclipse seen from atop the Carroll Rim Trail at Painted Hills, Oregon in 2017. Reuters
A total solar eclipse seen from atop the Carroll Rim Trail at Painted Hills, Oregon in 2017. Reuters

Solar eclipse 2024: Time, path and will April 8 event be visible from the UAE?


Sarwat Nasir
  • English
  • Arabic

A total solar eclipse is set to cast its shadow across some parts of the world on April 8, plunging countries into daytime darkness.

The rare celestial event occurs when the Moon perfectly aligns between the Earth and the Sun, causing it to completely block the sunlight that reaches the planet.

It would even block the Sun's disk for a few minutes, allowing observers to witness the atmosphere of the giant star.

When and where will the April solar eclipse appear?

The astronomical treat will only be visible in Mexico, through the US from Texas to Maine, and up through Canada.

"People viewing the eclipse from locations where the Moon’s shadow completely covers the Sun – known as the path of totality – will experience a total solar eclipse," Nasa said.

"The sky will become dark, as if it were dawn or dusk. Weather permitting, people along the path of totality will see the Sun’s corona, or outer atmosphere, which is usually obscured by the bright face of the Sun."

A Nasa map shows the path where the Moon will completely block the Sun. Photo: Nasa
A Nasa map shows the path where the Moon will completely block the Sun. Photo: Nasa

The first location that will experience totality is Mexico's Pacific coast at about 11.07am PDT (10.07pm UAE time), on April 8.

Then the path of the eclipse will continue into the US, moving into Texas first and then travelling through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

The eclipse will enter Canada in Southern Ontario, and continue through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia.

It will exit continental North America on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Canada, at 5.16pm NDT (11.46pm UAE time).

The next total solar eclipse will not be visible in the contiguous US until 2044.

In the UAE, a partial solar eclipse was visible in 2022, and the next one will take place in 2027.

A partial lunar eclipse was visible in the skies in October 2023.

Safety first

Nasa said that it was important to wear solar viewing glasses to safely observe the eclipse, as it could cause severe eye damage.

"Do not look at the Sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a hand-held solar viewer – the concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury," the space agency said.

"Eclipse glasses are not regular sunglasses. Regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the Sun."

Partial solar eclipse in 2022 - in pictures

  • Tourists using a handmade protective viewing filter sheet to watch the partial solar eclipse, at the Phoenician ruins, in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon. AP
    Tourists using a handmade protective viewing filter sheet to watch the partial solar eclipse, at the Phoenician ruins, in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon. AP
  • A man using handmade protective viewing to watch the eclipse in Tyre. AP
    A man using handmade protective viewing to watch the eclipse in Tyre. AP
  • A camel herder is silhouetted against a partial solar eclipse in Pushkar, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. AP
    A camel herder is silhouetted against a partial solar eclipse in Pushkar, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. AP
  • People gather at the Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre in Mushrif Park to watch the partial solar eclipse. Antonie Robertson/The National
    People gather at the Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre in Mushrif Park to watch the partial solar eclipse. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • An elderly woman looks through a welding filter during a partial solar eclipse in Bucharest, Romania. AP
    An elderly woman looks through a welding filter during a partial solar eclipse in Bucharest, Romania. AP
  • People watch a partial solar eclipse in Mumbai, India. AP
    People watch a partial solar eclipse in Mumbai, India. AP
  • A partial solar eclipse over a Christian church in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan. Reuters
    A partial solar eclipse over a Christian church in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan. Reuters
  • A view of the partial solar eclipse behind the pods of a Ferris wheel at an amusement park in Dohuk in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region. AFP
    A view of the partial solar eclipse behind the pods of a Ferris wheel at an amusement park in Dohuk in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region. AFP
  • A view of the partial solar eclipse visible behind a bird on a tree in Istanbul. AFP
    A view of the partial solar eclipse visible behind a bird on a tree in Istanbul. AFP
  • A partial solar eclipse as seen from Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre in Dubai. EPA
    A partial solar eclipse as seen from Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre in Dubai. EPA
  • The partial solar eclipse is framed by youngsters jumping on a trampoline in the outskirts of Lahore, Pakistan. AP
    The partial solar eclipse is framed by youngsters jumping on a trampoline in the outskirts of Lahore, Pakistan. AP
  • A partial solar eclipse as seen in Moscow. EPA
    A partial solar eclipse as seen in Moscow. EPA
  • People wear protective glasses to observe the celestial event in Kuwait city. EPA
    People wear protective glasses to observe the celestial event in Kuwait city. EPA
  • A statue of goddess Minerva is backdropped by the sun during a partial solar eclipse in Bucharest. AP
    A statue of goddess Minerva is backdropped by the sun during a partial solar eclipse in Bucharest. AP
  • A fragment of a monument to Soviet World War Two commander Marshal Georgy Zhukov is pictured during a partial solar eclipse in central Moscow. Reuters
    A fragment of a monument to Soviet World War Two commander Marshal Georgy Zhukov is pictured during a partial solar eclipse in central Moscow. Reuters
  • Pigeons fly past a partial solar eclipse in Ahmedabad. AP
    Pigeons fly past a partial solar eclipse in Ahmedabad. AP
  • A partial solar eclipse behind the centuries-old Raghunath Hindu temple in Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir. AP
    A partial solar eclipse behind the centuries-old Raghunath Hindu temple in Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir. AP
  • People are silhouetted against a partial solar eclipse seen from Kathmandu, Nepal. AP
    People are silhouetted against a partial solar eclipse seen from Kathmandu, Nepal. AP
  • A partial solar eclipse as seen in the Tatra Mountains, southern Poland. EPA
    A partial solar eclipse as seen in the Tatra Mountains, southern Poland. EPA
  • The celestial event in Hede-Bazouges, western France. AFP
    The celestial event in Hede-Bazouges, western France. AFP
  • A partial solar eclipse in Huddersfield, England. EPA
    A partial solar eclipse in Huddersfield, England. EPA
  • The Moon partially obscuring the Sun as seen from Gaza city. AFP
    The Moon partially obscuring the Sun as seen from Gaza city. AFP
  • A partial solar eclipse is visible over Cullercoats Watch House in North Shields, England. AP
    A partial solar eclipse is visible over Cullercoats Watch House in North Shields, England. AP
  • A partial solar eclipse is pictured in Malmoe, Sweden. AFP
    A partial solar eclipse is pictured in Malmoe, Sweden. AFP
  • Men use X-ray images as filters to view a partial solar eclipse visible from Gaza city. AFP
    Men use X-ray images as filters to view a partial solar eclipse visible from Gaza city. AFP
  • A statue on top of the Bernini's colonnade is pictured during a partial solar eclipse in St Peter's Square at the Vatican. Reuters
    A statue on top of the Bernini's colonnade is pictured during a partial solar eclipse in St Peter's Square at the Vatican. Reuters
  • The Moon passing in front of the Sun during a partial eclipse viewed through glass from a welding visor at the Kelpies near Falkirk, Scotland. PA
    The Moon passing in front of the Sun during a partial eclipse viewed through glass from a welding visor at the Kelpies near Falkirk, Scotland. PA
  • A cameraman records a partial solar eclipse near Travnik, Bosnia. AP Photo
    A cameraman records a partial solar eclipse near Travnik, Bosnia. AP Photo
  • People gather at the Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre in Mushrif Park to watch the event. Antonie Robertson / The National
    People gather at the Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre in Mushrif Park to watch the event. Antonie Robertson / The National
School counsellors on mental well-being

Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.

Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.

Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.

“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.

“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.

“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.

“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”

Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.

The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.

At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.

“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.

“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.

"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”

Defence review at a glance

• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”

• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems

• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.

• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%

• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade

• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

Polarised public

31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views

19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views

19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all

Source: YouGov

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Schedule
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Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km

Price: Dh133,900

On sale: now 

Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
  • George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
  • Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
  • Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
  • Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills. 
Hunting park to luxury living
  • Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
  • The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
  • Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds

 

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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

The Buckingham Murders

Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu

Director: Hansal Mehta

Rating: 4 / 5

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

It's Monty Python's Crashing Rocket Circus

To the theme tune of the famous zany British comedy TV show, SpaceX has shown exactly what can go wrong when you try to land a rocket.

The two minute video posted on YouTube is a compilation of crashes and explosion as the company, created by billionaire Elon Musk, refined the technique of reusable space flight.

SpaceX is able to land its rockets on land  once they have completed the first stage of their mission, and is able to resuse them multiple times - a first for space flight.

But as the video, How Not to Land an Orbital Rocket Booster, demonstrates, it was a case if you fail, try and try again.

Fifa%20World%20Cup%20Qatar%202022%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFirst%20match%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2020%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinal%2016%20round%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%203%20to%206%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EQuarter-finals%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%209%20and%2010%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESemi-finals%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%2013%20and%2014%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinal%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%2018%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: April 08, 2024, 5:39 AM