Last total solar eclipse in US until 2045 could be even more unique due to solar maximum

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Solar physicists have announced that this year's solar eclipse could be made even more memorable thanks to a solar maximum that will be happening at the same time.

The solar eclipse will happen in April and it will be the last time there's a total solar eclipse in the United States until 2045.

A solar maximum is best described as the time when the sun is most active, this means that there's a higher chance for solar flares and coronal mass ejections.

These explosive sequences happen as the sun releases big bursts of solar energy, which for us means that we might get a special light show, according to The Washington Post.

According to solar physicists, this increased activity could result in streamers appearing to emanate from the sun's surface. Streamers are solar winds that can travel over 1 million mph. This creates a unique visual that might be better seen due to the eclipse.

Another change we might see is the eclipse being altered due to magnetic loops. This is when the sun's magnetic field appears to be coming from off of the sun's surface, which would also create a stunning effect.

Currently, scientists still don't know just how much the solar maximum will alter the eclipse, but either way, it's going to be a spectacle.

Overall, total solar eclipses aren't a rare event, it's just rare that these kinds pass across the U.S., especially with such a big arc as is expected in April.

According to NASA, the path over North America will range between 108 and 122 miles wide. Over 31 million people live directly in the path of totality this year with another 150 million people living within 200 miles of it.

Here in the Greater Cincinnati area, one county is already preparing for the event as it will be directly in the path of totality. A local school district has already announced that schools will be closed in anticipation for the event.

The solar eclipse will take place on April 8.

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