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What to expect for the 2024 total solar eclipse in Southern California

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What to expect for the 2024 total solar eclipse in Southern California


On April 8, millions of Americans will get to see a rare celestial sight — a total solar eclipse crossing over parts of the United States from Texas to Maine.

The moon will pass between the sun and the Earth, but only those in locations where the moon’s shadow completely covers the sun – called the path of totality – will experience the full eclipse. For seconds to minutes, the sky will darken, temperatures drop and wildlife will react to the sudden changes.

While Southern California won’t be in the direct path, the Golden State still has the chance to see a show and witness what experts call an extraordinary phenomenon.

Here’s what to expect.

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Can I see the solar eclipse in California?

The first contact in Southern California is expected just after 10 a.m., said Vanessa Alarcon, an astronomical observer at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. She cautioned to wear protective glasses to look directly at the eclipse. People also could project the image of the sun onto another surface using a handmade device or even a kitchen tool.

The peak of eclipse is expected to happen here at 11:12 a.m., Alarcon said. That’s when Southern Californians could see roughly half of the sun blocked by the moon.

What will the solar eclipse look like in Southern California?

A lot may depend on the weather. At first contact, people may notice what appears to be a slice missing from the sun. Around an hour later, the sky likely will get darker as nearly 50% of the sun is blocked.

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“You will notice shadows get a little bit weird. They maybe don’t look as crisp,” Alarcon said.

How long will the solar eclipse last?

The entire phenomenon likely could last a couple of hours, she said. After 11:12 a.m., the moon will start to move away from the sun. The eclipse is expected to end by 12:22 p.m.

Is the solar eclipse safe to look at?

The short answer: Not without protective glasses.

NASA officials say it is not safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection. Also, viewing any part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter will instantly cause severe eye injury, the agency said.

Regular sunglasses let in too much light and won’t work. But people can find ISO-approved solar eclipse glasses at a variety of shops. NASA officials recommend testing them before April 8.

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People also can use a pinhole projector to project the sun onto a nearby surface. It can be as simple as punching a pinhole in an index card or using a kitchen colander. With the sun behind you, let the light stream through the tiny hole to see the projected image on another surface.

How often does a solar eclipse happen?

April 8 is the last chance to witness a total eclipse in the continental United States until 2044. While Californians will not be in the path of the total eclipse, they can watch it online. NASA plans to show a live broadcast at nasa.gov/nasatv/ and on its YouTube channel at youtube.com/@NASA.

Have a question about the solar eclipse in Southern California? Email cheri.carlson@vcstar.com and we will try to find the answer.

USA TODAY contributed to this report. Cheri Carlson covers the environment for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at cheri.carlson@vcstar.com or 805-437-0260.



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Heavy Rain And Flooding Turn Deadly In California – Videos from The Weather Channel

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Heavy Rain And Flooding Turn Deadly In California – Videos from The Weather Channel




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SpaceX launches 20 Starlink satellites from California (photos)

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SpaceX launches 20 Starlink satellites from California (photos)


SpaceX launched another batch of its Starlink internet satellites to orbit early Sunday morning (Nov. 24).

A Falcon 9 rocket carrying 20 Starlink spacecraft — 13 of which are capable of beaming service directly to smartphones — lifted off from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base on Sunday at 12:25 a.m. EST (0525 GMT; 9:25 p.m. on Nov. 23 local California time). 

The Falcon 9’s first stage returned to Earth about eight minutes after liftoff as planned, touching down on the SpaceX droneship “Of Course I Still Love You” in the Pacific Ocean.

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The first stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket rests on the deck of a droneship shortly after launching 20 Starlink internet satellites to orbit from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base on Nov. 24, 2024. (Image credit: SpaceX)

It was the 15th launch and landing for this particular booster, according to a SpaceX mission description. Twelve of those flights have been Starlink missions.

The Falcon 9’s upper stage hauled the 20 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit, deploying them there about an hour after liftoff as planned, SpaceX reported in a post on X.

Sunday’s launch was the 115th Falcon 9 flight of the year. Nearly 70% of those liftoffs have been devoted to building out Starlink, the largest satellite constellation ever assembled.

The megaconstellation currently consists of more than 6,600 active satellites, and, as Sunday’s mission shows, it’s growing all the time.



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Northern California driver dies after vehicle found in floodwaters, 1 other found dead

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Northern California driver dies after vehicle found in floodwaters, 1 other found dead


PIX Now morning edition 11-23-24

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PIX Now morning edition 11-23-24

09:29

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SONOMA COUNTY – A man died when he was found in a flooded vehicle after an atmospheric river dumped heavy rain in Northern California, authorities said.

In Sonoma County’s Guerneville, first responders responded to a report around 11:30 a.m. Saturday for a vehicle that was seen in floodwaters near Mays Canyon Road and Highway 116.

The caller believed that at least one person was inside the vehicle.

When crews arrived, they said the vehicle was recovered but a man was pronounced dead at the scene. He has not been identified.

The Russian River, which flows through Guerneville, reached the flood stage on Friday evening and exceeded what was forecasted.

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This area went into a flood warning around 2 p.m. Friday and was still in place as of Saturday afternoon.

Guerneville is about 75 miles north of San Francisco.

Around 8:45 a.m. Saturday in Santa Rosa, a man was found dead in Piner Creek just south of Guerneville Road, the police department said. His death is being investigated. 

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