Solar eclipse 2024: Former NASA astronaut shares what it looks like from house, how to safely view it

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A uncommon atmospheric incidence will occur on Monday, April 8: a photo voltaic eclipse. 

Millions of Americans throughout the path of totality might be in a position to clearly see the moon and the solar overlap. 

Former NASA astronaut Terry Virts spoke with Fox News Digital forward of this yr’s photo voltaic eclipse to element his expertise in house — and what it was like to witness one whereas on an area flight. 

Virts has traveled to house a number of instances. He stated he’d at all times wished to be an astronaut and going to house was a dream come true.

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“All of my spaceflights were amazing. That was a dream that I had since I was a little kid — I wanted to be an astronaut,” he recalled. 

During his two spaceflights, Virts spent over 200 days in house piloting the Space Shuttle Endeavor on STS-130 and commanding the International Space Station throughout Expedition 42/43 from 2014 to 2015, in accordance to Virts’ web site. 

Solar eclipse

The photo voltaic eclipse will happen when the moon covers the solar.  (iStock)

Virts, nevertheless, was often called the image taker whereas in house. He joked that these onboard stated he may need taken probably the most photos of anybody ever in house. 

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“It’s amazing getting to be in space, not only looking at our planet, but also looking out to the galaxy and other planets — [that] was a really fun part of it,” he stated. 

Terry Virts

Fox News Digital spoke with Terry Virts, a former NASA astronaut, forward of the uncommon photo voltaic eclipse, which can happen on April 8, 2024. (SONIC Drive-In)

Virts witnessed a photo voltaic eclipse whereas in house in 2015 and stated it was one thing he by no means thought he would have the option to see. 

“There was an eclipse over the North Atlantic, and you could look out and see this kind of black circular shadow moving across Earth,” he recalled.

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He added, “It’s a very different experience seeing it from Earth, but from space was pretty cool, too.”

Virts, who’s partnering with SONIC forward of the April 8 photo voltaic eclipse, stated he recommends that anybody attempting to view the phenomenon come ready with the best instruments. 

Solar eclipse viewing glasses

SONIC is giving out viewing glasses with the acquisition of the model’s limited-edition blackout slush float.  (SONIC Drive-In)

“Get yourself some good eclipse glasses that are safe,” he stated. 

He continued, “You don’t want to stare at the sun with your eyes. You don’t want to stare at the sun even with normal eclipse glasses — so before the moon covers the sun, you can’t stare at it.”

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Virts really useful heading to one of many 400 SONIC places within the path of totality for a limited-edition blackout slush float and viewing glasses.

“It’s amazing getting to be in space, not only looking at our planet, but also looking out to the galaxy and other planets was a really fun part of it.”

He additionally stated to get as shut to the center of the totality path so as to get the most effective viewing, as that may make an enormous distinction. 

Solar eclipse path

The 2024 photo voltaic eclipse might be viewable in full totality throughout this path on April 8.  (Yasin Demirci/Anadolu/Getty Images)

“It’s amazing to look at the sun while it’s blacked out by the moon, but take a few seconds and look down at the horizon,” he famous. 

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He added, “Notice what the wildlife is doing. The animals don’t know … so they’re kind of freaked out.”

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As for how Virts is spending his potential 4 minutes of eclipse viewing this yr, he stated he’ll be within the Dallas-Fort Worth space in Texas to get the most effective expertise. 

Terry Virts and a solar eclipse

A former NASA astronaut detailed what a photo voltaic eclipse looks like in house and how to safely view the upcoming second.  (SONIC Drive-In/iStock)

Guests who buy a blackout slush float at SONIC will obtain a free pair of eclipse viewing glasses whereas provides final. The model says the limited-edition dragon fruit-flavored slush is full of “eclipse-like darkness” to have fun the event. 

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The subsequent photo voltaic eclipse viewing alternative within the U.S. might be on August 23, 2044, in accordance to NASA. 

For extra Lifestyle articles, go to www.foxnews.com/way of life.

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