According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), astronomy fans will witness a total solar eclipse today (April 8).

A solar eclipse is a phenomenon that occurs when the Sun, the Moon, and the Earth are in a straight line. At some points on Earth, the Moon will cover part or all of the Sun, causing a solar eclipse. When the Sun is completely covered, a total solar eclipse occurs.

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Path of total solar eclipses in 2017 and 2024. Photo: NASA

NASA said that this total solar eclipse will move across North America, including countries such as Mexico, some US states and the Atlantic coast of Canada. The last time a total solar eclipse passed over North America was 7 years ago, in 2017.

The total solar eclipse will begin in Mazatlan, Mexico at 10:50 a.m. local time (10:50 p.m. April 8, Vietnam time). It will then pass through several Mexican states before entering Texas (USA). The eclipse will then continue to move up the northeastern United States and end at the eastern tip of Canada at 2:48 p.m. local time (early morning April 9, Vietnam time).

The April 8 total solar eclipse is widespread, with a path spanning 173-196 km. The 2024 total solar eclipse will pass through many cities and densely populated areas. However, astronomy enthusiasts in Vietnam will not be able to observe this phenomenon, even if it is only a partial eclipse.

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Staff and visitors at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory view the 2017 total solar eclipse. Photo: NASA

An estimated 31.6 million people live within the orbit of the total eclipse. If you extend the eclipse 200 miles (321 km) from the orbit, the total eclipse could be visible to as many as 150 million people. Partial eclipse visibility will be in Europe and all of North America.

During a solar eclipse, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun. Solar radiation can cause eye damage. Observing a solar eclipse must be done through special filters. For safety, observers can also view the eclipse indirectly.

During the April 8 eclipse, NASA funded several studies to assess the Sun’s influence on Earth, including two spacecraft designed to study the Sun’s corona.

Why is the total solar eclipse on April 8 so rare, making Americans "crazy"? Total solar eclipses have happened many times, but the eclipse event that took place on April 8 in some countries in North America is considered a rare "once in a hundred years".