i trip over air meaning

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What does the phrasal verb “trip over” mean?

What are the definitions of “trip over”.

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

I TRIPPED OVER and hurt my knee.

I TRIPPED OVER the kerb and broke my nose.

What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “trip over”?

The most common meaning of the phrasal verb trip over is to fall or stumble, usually because of hitting an obstacle or losing balance. It can refer to falling down or just stumbling without falling.

What are the different verb forms of “trip over”?

Be careful not to trip over the toys on the floor.

She often trips over her own feet when she's not paying attention.

He is always tripping over things in his messy room.

Yesterday, I tripped over a rock while hiking.

He had tripped over the rug and spilled his drink.

What kind of phrasal verb is “trip over”?

Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)

Intransitive verb

“trip over” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.

She tripped over and hurt her ankle.

He tripped over while running.

What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.

Inseparable

“trip over” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.

What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “trip over”?

Trip over one's words

To speak in a hesitant or stumbling manner, often due to nervousness or lack of confidence.

During the presentation, he tripped over his words and lost his train of thought.

Trip over oneself

To be overly eager or enthusiastic about something, often to the point of clumsiness or making mistakes.

She was so excited about the opportunity that she tripped over herself trying to impress the boss.

Trip over something

To encounter an unexpected problem or obstacle.

We tripped over a few issues while working on the project, but we managed to resolve them.

Good things to know

Does “trip over” have an informal or formal tone.

Trip over is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can also be used in more formal settings, depending on the specific context.

What are synonyms of antonyms to the phrasal verb “trip over”?

Antonyms for {keyword}.

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Trip over/ trip up

• Thread starter Cat Krumbles
• Start date Jan 28, 2021

Cat Krumbles

Senior member.

• Jan 28, 2021

Hi， I wonder if 'trip up' and 'trip over' mean the same thing? 'I tripped myself up/ I tripped over myself' As in I nearly fell because I stepped on myself etc.  

Cat Krumbles said: 'I tripped myself up/ I tripped over myself' As in I nearly fell because I stepped on myself etc. Click to expand...

lingobingo said: To trip over implies to fall over – to trip and fall. To trip up does not imply actually falling. And it’s very widely used in figurative senses, such as to “wrongfoot” someone (also figurative), or to make a mistake of your own. Click to expand...

Cat Krumbles said: 'trip myself up' means that I am not falling? Click to expand...

pacegiulia said: Yes, "I trip myself up" means that you stumble, but don't actually fall. Click to expand...

Cat Krumbles said: Okay, so both expressions 'trip myself up' 'trip over myself' are used to mean different things. 'Trip over myself' means that I actually fell, 'trip myself up' means that I am not falling? Click to expand...

lingobingo said: No. I’m not familiar with anyone ever saying either of those things. It’s not even clear what you mean. You’re misusing the expressions, in my view. Click to expand...

Have you ever heard anyone say that? I haven’t. I would expect: “I tripped on the carpet”, / “I caught my foot on the rug [and tripped]”. We don’t normally talk about tripping ourselves up in a literal sense, and certainly not with over as well. But you could intentionally trip someone else up.  

lingobingo said: Have you ever heard anyone say that? I haven’t. I would expect: “I tripped on the carpet”, / “I caught my foot on the rug [and tripped]”. We don’t normally talk about tripping ourselves up in a literal sense, and certainly not with over as well. But you could intentionally trip someone else up. Click to expand...

Moderator Emeritus

You can certainly say "I tripped [up] over my shoelace/over my foot/over the cable" but I'm not sold on "... over myself". "I tripped myself over" doesn't really work: it works with "up" in the sense of making a mistake , but I don't think it does when used literally .  

Cat Krumbles said: Thank you ever so much. But you can trip over something though? Trip over the rug or cable? Click to expand...

Trip over meaning in English

Learn how to use Trip over correctly with Gymglish. Test and improve your English. Start your free trial today.

• " It's true that his chemicals were well arranged when I entered the room. But by the end of the first day I nearly tripped over a bottle of hydrobromide trying to find the door. "
• " First of all, there's the dead body in the hall - you tripped over it on the way in, remember? "

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Fill in the form below and receive news in your email box, tripped over something: definition, meaning, and origin.

The phrase "tripped over something" often describes a situation where someone accidentally stumbles or falls because of an obstacle. This can be a literal physical obstacle, like a toy left on the floor, or it can be used figuratively to mean encountering an unexpected problem or challenge. It's a phrase that paints a vivid picture of a sudden and unexpected interruption.

• It describes accidentally stumbling or falling due to an obstacle.
• It can also mean facing an unexpected challenge or problem.

What Does "Tripped Over Something" Mean?

When someone says they "tripped over something," they're usually talking about a sudden stumble or fall caused by an obstacle. This could be because of a physical object in their way or a metaphor for a sudden problem they didn't see coming. For instance, someone might say, "I tripped over my shoelaces," if they literally fell because of untied shoes. But the y might also say, "I tripped over a detail in the contract," meaning they found an unexpected issue while reviewing a document.

Let's explore its core meanings and usage:

• It often describes a physical stumble caused by something in one's path.
• The phrase can be used to talk about unexpected challenges in various situations.
• It highlights the surprise element of the stumble or challenge.
• It is commonly used in everyday conversations to describe literal and figurative stumbling blocks.
• Similar phrases include "stumbled upon," "ran into a snag," and "hit a roadblock."

Where Does "Tripped Over Something" Come From?

The phrase "tripped over something" has its roots in the physical act of tripping or stumbling. The word "trip" has been used in the English language since the 14th century, originally meaning "to step lightly" or "to skip." Its meaning evolved to include stumbling or making a misstep, especially because of an obstacle.

Historical Example

"As I was walking through the garden, I tripped over a hidden root and found myself face down in the mud." - Diary of a Victorian Lady, 1865

10 Examples of "Tripped Over Something" in Sentences

To help you understand when to use this phrase, let's look at some examples from different situations:

• One fine day , I tripped over something while exploring the park.
• She was so excited about her new shoes that she didn't notice the toy on the floor and tripped over it.
• Later, gator . I called out after my friend tripped over something on our way out.
• At the party, Sarah tripped over the long cord of the microphone.
• While exploring the attic, he tripped over an old box filled with memories.
• Oh my gosh , did you see how she tripped over something in the middle of the performance?
• During the play, one of the actors tripped over a prop left on the stage.
• She was so engrossed in her book that she tripped over the doorstep.
• A worker tripped over some wires at the construction site, causing a minor accident.
• Tread lightly in that old warehouse; I once tripped over something hidden beneath the dust.

Examples of "Tripped Over Something" in Pop Culture

This phrase also pops up in pop culture and is often used to depict humorous or unexpected situations.

Here are some moments where it made an appearance:

• In the movie "Home Alone," one of the burglars trips over toys set as traps by the young protagonist.
• In an article on LADbible, the author recounts a scene from a TV show where a character named Mr. Blobby tripped over something and fell flat on his face.
• An article about social phobia in University Health News: "Social phobia can be the result of an embarrassing situation in childhood—perhaps you were told off in public or maybe tripped over something and were made a subject of ridicule."

Synonyms: Other/Different Ways to Say "Tripped Over Something"

Here are some alternative phrases that convey a similar idea:

• Stumbled over
• Got caught on
• Lost balance because of
• Got tripped up by
• Stumbled upon
• Fell due to
• Got tangled with
• Was thrown off by

10 Frequently Asked Questions About "Tripped Over Something":

• What does "tripped over something" mean?

"Tripped over something" means that someone accidentally stumbled or lost their balance because of an object or obstacle in their path. It can be used both literally, like tripping over a rock, and figuratively, like tripping over one's words.

• How can I use "tripped over something" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a situation where someone lost their balance or made a mistake. For example: "She tripped over the rug and spilled her coffee" or "He tripped over his words during the presentation.

• Is it a common phrase?

Yes, "tripped over something" is a common phrase used to describe both physical mishaps and metaphorical mistakes or blunders.

• Does it always refer to a physical action?

While it often refers to a physical action, it can also be used figuratively to describe making a mistake or facing an unexpected challenge.

• Can it be humorous?

Yes, depending on the context, "tripped over something" can be used in a humorous way, especially when the trip doesn't result in any harm or serious consequences.

• How is it different from "stumbled upon"?

"Tripped over something" usually refers to an accident or mistake, while "stumbled upon" often means discovering something by chance, without looking for it.

• What's its role in storytelling or movies?

In storytelling or movies, "tripped over something" can be used to introduce a twist, create humor, or show a character's vulnerability or clumsiness.

• Is it used more in casual or formal settings?

"Tripped over something" is more commonly used in casual settings, but it can appear in formal contexts when discussing accidents or unexpected challenges.

• Can it be used metaphorically?

Yes, it can be used metaphorically to describe making a mistake or facing an unexpected obstacle in non-physical situations, like a conversation or a project.

• Does it imply carelessness?

It can imply carelessness, especially if someone trips over something obvious. However, it can also simply indicate an accident or unexpected obstacle.

Final Thoughts About "Tripped Over Something"

The phrase "tripped over something" is a versatile way to describe both literal stumbles and figurative mistakes. It's a relatable expression, as everyone has had moments of tripping, whether physically or metaphorically.

Here's a quick recap:

• It describes both physical mishaps and metaphorical blunders.
• It can be used humorously or seriously, depending on the context.
• The phrase is common in everyday language and can be found in various forms of media.
• It's a reminder that everyone faces obstacles, but it's how we recover that matters.

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English [ edit ]

Verb [ edit ].

trip over ( third-person singular simple present trip overs , present participle trip overing , simple past and past participle trip overed )

• To trip or stumble and almost fall, as a result of bumping into someone or something with one's feet.

Translations [ edit ]

• English lemmas
• English verbs
• English phrasal verbs
• English phrasal verbs with particle (over)
• English multiword terms

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Definition of trip verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• She tripped and fell.
• trip over/on something Someone will trip over that cable.
• I tripped over my own feet and fell down the stairs.
• (figurative) I was tripping over my words in my excitement to tell them the news.
• (figurative) Lawyers were tripping over each other (= competing with each other in a hurried way) to get a piece of the action.
• trip over/up Be careful you don't trip up on the step.
• She tripped on the loose stones.
• One of the boys tripped over and crashed into a tree.
• accidentally
• trip and fall

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Table of Contents

What is a layover?

Stopover meaning in airlines, open-jaw flights: how they work.

Many times in the world of air travel you might hear the words “layover,” “stopover” and “open-jaw” flight but not be quite sure what they mean.

The main difference between a stopover and layover is length of time. Stopover rules vary by airline, but are essentially longer layovers — at least 24 hours in length. Layovers, meanwhile, are connections less than a day in length depending on if you’re flying domestically or internationally.

Open-jaw flights are a whole different beast. Follow this quick guide and we’ll help you arrive at an understanding of stopover, layover and open-jaw flights.

A layover is the technical term for what you might think of as a simple connecting flight. For example, earlier this year, I flew from Cincinnati to Boston on American Airlines. Because there are no direct flights between Cincinnati and Boston on American, I had to make a connection. There were several options for my connection, mostly in American hub airports like New York LaGuardia, Washington National or Philadelphia. I chose one in Washington (DCA).

In this case, I had only a 31-minute layover, which made me a bit nervous. Layovers this short are great when everything goes right, since you walk right off of one flight and on to the next, but they don’t have a lot of room for error. Thankfully, my first flight arrived about 15 minutes early, so I had plenty of time to make it to my next flight.

» Learn more: 5 tips for long airport layovers

Another note about layovers: While they usually involve changing gates and planes, that is not always the case. Southwest, for example, will often have layovers that involve no plane change.

In a case like this, you would arrive in Kansas City and wait for all the departing passengers to deplane. Then you could move to a better seat (this IS Southwest after all) and await the passengers going from Kansas City to Los Angeles.

At its simplest, a stopover is simply a longer layover. Most airlines define a layover as any connection of less than 4 hours on a domestic flight or less than 24 hours on an international flight. Rules about when stopovers are allowed varies by airline, and it will often depend on whether the ticket is an award ticket or a paid ticket.

Here are two examples of stopovers I have personally taken:

Using Alaska Airlines miles to fly Emirates, I booked a ticket from Singapore to Dubai (2-day stopover) to New York City.

On a paid ticket, I flew Newark to Lisbon (3-day stopover) before continuing on to Barcelona.

Most airlines that offered free stopovers on award tickets have eliminated that perk. There are a few (but dwindling) number of airlines that offer stopovers on award tickets:

Singapore Airlines offers two complimentary stopovers on a round-trip ticket using KrisFlyer miles.

Alaska Airlines even offers a free stopover on ONE-WAY award tickets (see my Dubai example above).

United Airlines doesn’t allow stopovers per se, but it does have a similar program called the Excursionist Perk .

Even if the airline whose miles you are using does not allow stopovers on award flights, you can still get a lot of value from including a layover of up to 23 hours 59 minutes. As an example, on the same Singapore trip I mentioned earlier, I used American Airlines AAdvantage miles to book the outbound portion of the trip, which included a 20-hour layover in Hong Kong at no additional charge.

While that wasn’t enough time to see much of Hong Kong, it was at least enough to take a brief city tour, have some street food and get a taste of the city before returning to the airport and boarding the connecting flight to Singapore.

» Learn more: The best airlines for free stopovers

An open-jaw flight is two or more flights in an itinerary with an “open” segment in the middle. The open “V” shape formed by the outbound and return lines of travel is similar to the profile of an open mouth or jaw. A simple example would be a round-trip itinerary as follows:

New York to Paris.

Frankfurt to New York.

You start and end your itinerary in New York, but your European itinerary has an open-jaw between Paris and Frankfurt. This itinerary does not cover your travel between those two European cities. Of course you will have to physically get yourself from Paris to Frankfurt, but you are on your own for that transportation. It could be by car, train, a separately booked flight or any other mode of travel.

Open-jaw itineraries don’t have to start and end in the same location and aren’t limited to only 2 flights. Here is another example of an open-jaw itinerary:

Chicago to London.

London to Stockholm.

Copenhagen to Los Angeles.

In this itinerary you have an open-jaw between your origin and return (Chicago to Los Angeles) as well as an open-jaw on your destination (Stockholm to Copenhagen). In both of those cases you would need to arrange your own transportation between the two cities. You also have a connection (either a layover or stopover) in London.

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Meaning of Tripping Over Air by Aidan Bissett

Aidan Bissett's "Tripping Over Air" is a song that expresses the narrator's desire to be with someone who doesn't truly reciprocate their feelings. The narrator is aware that the person they like only likes them when they play it cool and follows the rules, which and their constant flip-flopping creates a frenetic and disconnected energy that leaves the narrator feeling confused and hurt. Despite this, the narrator realizes that they still care for the person deeply and can't help but continue to try to be with them, even if it means tripping over air while trying to read the person's mind and get it right.

This meaning interpretation was written by AI. Help improve it with your feedback

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Aidan Bissett – Tripping Over Air

When you look at someone through rose-tinted glasses all the red flags just look like flags, often leading to a torrid time when the spectacle’s lenses finally break. That’s what the 19 year old wunderkind Aidan Bissett recently discovered after falling for a girl who openly admitted that he wasn’t her usual type and didn’t see herself with a guy like him. Whilst this comment would often result in someone moving on or abandoning the idea of them being together, Bissett took the opposite approach and continued to pursue her which ultimately lead to his heart shattering. In a matter of moments he went from being filled with love to blasting out Taylor Swift in his car, and writing a song to let his torment out.

Tripping Over Air takes heartbreak and transforms it into an exhilarating alt-pop anthem, perfect for concerts where you can scream every word back at him with the same vigour of his performance. He doesn’t mince his words and remains honest as can be throughout, not disguising his feelings through a myriad of metaphors or falsely worded statements, instead letting his lyrics showcase his unfiltered thoughts for this moment. You feel his anger through the raw guitar riffs whilst his vocal evokes a more somber tone, all before the chorus arrives and lets you unleash your pent up angst in one big emotional eruption of grand proportions.

“‘Tripping Over Air’ came together after the girl I was seeing told me that she wouldn’t usually see herself with a guy like me. Even though she told me this, I still decided to pursue her, which led to my heart being broken. I got blinded by the girl and missed all the red flags – so I decided to turn that idea into this song.”

Deb Fan – Lucky Girl Syndrome

Emma beko – lookinforu, new west – those eyes, “pink pony club” sees chappell roan go on her own fluid-journey of self discovery, sadie jean – wyd now, lany – thick and thin, chappell roan – femininomenon, chappell roan – california, stevie howie – nameless, mae stephens – if we ever broke up, discover more from a1234.

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The April 8 solar eclipse will bring weird sights, sounds and feelings

The darkening of the sky on April 8 will bring with it a plethora of strange phenomena.

Bailey's beads appear around the moon

• Diamond ring
• Atmospheric manifestation
• Revealing hidden stars and planets

A horned 'devil' may appear!

• Shadow bands
• Weird colors
• Bending light
• Temperature shift
• Animal behavior

You can watch the total solar eclipse live on Space.com . And keep up with all the actions with our total solar eclipse 2024 live updates blog. 

On Monday (April 8), the sky over a swathe of North America will briefly darken as the moon covers the sun completely during a total solar eclipse. 

For a maximum of 4 minutes and 28 seconds along a 115-mile-wide (185 kilometers) and 10,000-mile-long (16,000 km) path passing through Mexico, the United States and Canada, the moon will completely cover the sun, and the sky will fall dark. And, outside this path of totality , observers will be treated to a partial solar eclipse, which is still a sight to behold.

It's not surprising that our ancient ancestors viewed total solar eclipses with trepidation and fear. They were often thought to be dire portents from the gods, indicating the deities' displeasure — or observations of the sun being consumed by fearsome creatures like dragons, which needed to be scared away with loud noises. 

In our current (mostly) scientifically enlightened times, we have abandoned such supernatural explanations. But rejecting the concept of star-eating dragons doesn't mean that the total solar eclipse isn't capable of throwing up some unusual and phenomena that may leave witnesses scratching their heads.

Related: Total solar eclipse 2024: Everything you need to know

Space.com takes you through a brief list of some of the strange phenomena that may distract you as you attempt to take in the most exciting astronomical event of 2024!

Astronomical occurrences

As the moon makes its final approach to the sun in the sky, light will begin streaming through the valleys, mountains, craters , and rough terrain at the edge of the lunar disk. This creates droplets of light at the very edge of the moon's disk called " Bailey's beads ."

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Bailey's beads are named after English astronomer Francis Bailey, who described the phenomenon in 1836. Ironically, Bailey may not actually be the discoverer of Bailey's beads. Edmond Halley  made the first recorded observations of Bailey's beads during a solar eclipse on May 3, 1715, also correctly describing their cause.

On April 8, watch out for Bailey's Beads before the moon completely covers the sun , and again as the lunar disk begins to move away from the solar disk.

The sun gives the moon a diamond ring

The appearance of Bailey's beads at the edge of the moon may be accompanied by another striking phenomenon. 

A "diamond ring" happens during a total solar eclipse just moments before the point at which the moon completely covers the sun, known as totality. This is caused by the last sunlight streaming through the rugged terrain at the edge of the lunar disk. 

During the 2024 total solar eclipse, skywatchers can attempt to observe a rare "double diamond ring" when two prominent points of sunlight appear at the edge of the moon.

Related: The moon: Everything you need to know about Earth's companion

The sun's atmosphere manifests

Normally, when observing the sun, the atmosphere of our star is "washed out" by light flowing from what can roughly be described as the solar surface, the photosphere. 

During a total solar eclipse, however, photons from the photosphere are blocked, and the two elements of the solar atmosphere, the outer layer or corona and the inner layer or chromosphere become more visible.

The corona will appear as waving white streamers surrounding the blacked-out solar disk. The chromosphere will appear as a more subtle, thin halo of color, mostly pink and red, closer to the lunar disk. The eclipse may also reveal solar filaments made of plasma and molded by solar magnetic fields extending out from behind the moon.

Hidden stars and planets are revealed

Some skywatchers may be focused on other solar system bodies or stars farther afield than the sun during the April 8 total solar eclipse. 

According to Space.com skywatching columnist Joe Rao , some of the planets that may make an appearance during totality, which would usually be hidden in daylight, will be Venus , around 15 degrees to the west of the sun, and  Jupiter , 30 degrees east of the star. Other planets that may be visible are Saturn and Mars , which will be 35 degrees and 36 degrees to the west of the sun, respectively. (Your fist held at arm's length covers about 10 degrees of sky.)

For eclipse watchers on the path of totality outside Mexico and Texas, the brightest star over Earth, Sirius, will be over the horizon and should be visible toward the east-southeast. Among the other fainter stars that should become apparent are the Goat Star Capella , high in the east-northeast, and Rigel , lower in the southeast.

Don't panic! We haven't slipped back into medieval fears and superstition; the "horned devil" we are speaking about in this case is Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks . The comet, which can currently be seen in the night skies of the Northern Hemisphere, has a strange "horned aura" resulting from the outflow of its icy material that has resulted in it being nicknamed the " devil comet ."

This faux-satanic space rock visits the inner solar system around every 71 years and will be at its closest to the sun on April 21, 2024. That means Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will be fairly close to the sun when the moon will obscure it on April 8,  according to EarthSky.org . 

If it is visible, the comet should appear between the sun and Jupiter, but closer to the gas giant. Whether it can be seen or not on the day of the eclipse will depend on the ferocity of the explosions of material that burst from it, boosting the size of its halo and the brightness of its glow.

Related: A 'horned' comet may be visible during the 2024 total solar eclipse

Strange light effects

Shadow bands sweeep across earth.

Shadow bands are one of the strangest effects associated with solar eclipses. These alternating light and dark bands can sometimes be seen during these events on the ground and buildings in the path of the eclipse. 

First occurring around the time of totality, shadow bands initially seem disordered and chaotic but become increasingly well-ordered and more prominent as totality approaches. These bands are caused by atmospheric turbulence over Earth, which causes refraction of and collimation of sunlight when the solar disk is 99% covered. 

Shadow bands are tough to image because they are only briefly visible and don't occur everywhere in the path of totality. The 1-inch to 2-inch-wide (2.5 to 5 centimeters) bands slide across the ground and buildings at a pace of around 10 feet (3 m) per second.

Colors look different

During the solar eclipse, many skywatchers will see colors shifting, giving familiar objects unusual hues. This natural shift in color perception is caused by fluctuating light levels resulting from the darkening of the sun. 

Colors the human eye sees as rich and vibrant in bright light, like red and orange, become muted compared with blues and greens, which brighten in dim light. The rapid dimming of the sun during a total solar eclipse heightens this phenomenon, called the " Purkinje shift ," making the eclipse a potentially surreal event in which the most familiar objects look almost alien.

Light gets bent!

Some scientists will see the total solar eclipse as an opportunity to test one of Albert Einstein 's most revolutionary ideas, general relativity . 

This 1915 theory of gravity suggests that massive objects warp the very fabric of space-time . When light passes this warping from a background source, it too is curved, an effect called gravitational lensing . This results in those background sources apparently shifting position in the sky. 

When the sun darkens on April 8, scientists have the chance to observe the shift in the position of background stars caused by the mass of our star and its warping effect on space-time. 

Eclipses have a long history of being used to verify general relativity. The first experimental verification of the theory, which was not initially widely accepted by the scientific community, came about when two teams of scientists led by Frank Watson Dyson and  Arthur Stanley Eddington observed gravitational lensing during the May 1919 total solar eclipse from the African island of Príncipe and the Brazilian town of Sobral.

The natural world shifts

Eclipses are cool.

The sun isn't just a source of light over Earth , it is also our planet's major source of heat. That means that, as the moon covers the sun on April 8, eclipse watchers may suddenly find themselves needing a jacket.

The amount by which the temperature fluctuates during the total solar eclipse will depend strongly on the location from which it is viewed. Temperatures could drop by as little as 5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 degrees Celsius) or as much 10 degrees F (5.6 degrees C).

As the moon covers the sun, onlookers may also experience a sudden drop in wind speed. As the moon moves away, winds will pick up again, but they could be blowing in an entirely different direction. 

— A 'horned' comet may be visible during the 2024 total solar eclipse

— How photos of the April 8 solar eclipse will help us understand of the sun's atmosphere

— How fast will April's total solar eclipse travel?

Animals act differently

Animal behavior is controlled by many factors, one of which is an internal biological clock that keeps track of a " circadian rhythm ." This rhythm is optimized by light, with diurnal animals prompted to sleep when the sun sets and nocturnal animals prompted to rise at the same time. That means the dimming light of the eclipse and the "false dusk" could prompt the release of hormones related to the sleeping and waking cycle in animals. 

Additionally, the drop in temperature could cause a drop in atmospheric pressure that feels like an approaching storm to animals, making them anxious or fearful. Eclipse watchers may also expect to hear a dawn's chorus from birds as the eclipse ends, fooling our feathered friends into believing it is a new day. 

During the total solar eclipse, one project that will be attempting to better understand the effect of the eclipse on wildlife is the NASA Soundscapes project. This multisensory approach will see citizen scientists making recordings of the sounds heard as the sky falls dark, and also make written accounts of what is seen, heard, or felt during the event.

Related: Solar eclipse glasses: Where to buy the best, high-quality eyewear

People get emotional

It isn't just animals that will potentially get spooked by the darkening skies of the total solar eclipse eclipse. Humans can also be emotionally affected by these events. 

NASA advises that, if skywatchers aren't too busy looking for Bailey's Beads, diamond rings, or shadow bands, they should take a look at the people around them and observe if anyone has a deep emotional response when the sun goes into totality.

Of course, these shifts in emotions are temporary. If you intend to view any eclipse stages, the most important thing to consider is how to safely view it. Looking at the sun without adequate protection at any time is harmful to the eyes, so eclipse watchers should take precautions on April 8. 

Sunglasses, regardless of how dark they are, can't protect the eyes from the effects of the sun, so specialized eclipse glasses made from safe solar filter materials will be needed. If skywatchers intend to watch the event with a telescope, special filters will be needed to make this a safe viewing experience.

Our how to observe the sun safely guide tells you everything you need to know about safe solar observations.

Submit your photos! If you capture a photo of the April 8 total solar eclipse or any of these strange effects and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send photos, videos, comments, and your name, location and content usage permission release to [email protected].

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Robert Lea is a science journalist in the U.K. whose articles have been published in Physics World, New Scientist, Astronomy Magazine, All About Space, Newsweek and ZME Science. He also writes about science communication for Elsevier and the European Journal of Physics. Rob holds a bachelor of science degree in physics and astronomy from the U.K.’s Open University. Follow him on Twitter @sciencef1rst.

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The 2024 solar eclipse is today! Here's everything you need to know to see it in Oklahoma

Today's the day millions of Americans have been waiting for: a total solar eclipse will cross over 15 states this afternoon.

For the first time in more than 100 years, areas of Oklahoma will experience a total solar eclipse. The eclipse will start in southwest Texas and move across the United States, including directly over southeast Oklahoma towns like Broken Bow, Idabel, Hugo and Antlers .

During the eclipse, the moon will completely block out the sun, casting a shadow on the Earth.

Here's everything you need to know to witness the eclipse, including when it will happen, where to watch and what the weather will look like.

Live updates: Monday's solar eclipse is today in Oklahoma, what time will it start?

What is a total solar eclipse?

According to NASA, a total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and earth and completely blots out the sun for a few minutes.

Anyone located in the center of the moon's shadow, known as the path of totality, will experience a total solar eclipse. The sky will darken and, if the weather cooperates, the sun's corona, or outer atmosphere, will be visible.

When is the solar eclipse 2024? When does the solar eclipse start near me?

The 2024 solar eclipse is Monday, April 8, 2024. Its path of totality will cross the United States from approximately 1:27 p.m. to 2:35 p.m. central time. That's when, if you're in the path of totality, the sky will darken for several minutes and the air will get colder.

Use the ZIP code locator  below to find out when the eclipse begins and ends in your area — and what it will look like. (Can't see it? Hit refresh.)

What time is the solar eclipse in Oklahoma?

The  eclipse will enter Oklahoma  as it crosses the Red River at about 12:27 p.m., and exit the state at about 3:07 p.m., according to National Eclipse.

But the total eclipse, the direct casting of the Moon's shadow, will only last from about 1:44 p.m. to 1:51 p.m. in the state,  Great American Eclipse estimates .

The center path of the eclipse, where totality lasts the longest, travels through Oklahoma for a mere 31 miles, the shortest distance of any state through which the centerline travels.

How long will the eclipse last in Oklahoma?

The  Oklahoma towns that will experience the longest span of totality , or darkness when the moon completely covers the sun, include Idabel and Broken Bow, according to Eclipse2024.org. Totality will last around 4 minutes and 18 seconds in Idabel, and 4 minutes and 16 seconds in Broken Bow.

There are a few unincorporated communities in Oklahoma that will see about an extra second of totality.

When is the solar eclipse in Oklahoma City?

According to Eclipse2024.com , the first of the moon's shadow will be visible over the sun in Oklahoma City just before 12:30 p.m. and the last of the moon's shadow will exit Oklahoma City just after 3 p.m.

If you're hoping to witness the darkness that comes with a total solar eclipse, including getting to see the sun's outer corona, you'll want to make the drive to a city in the path of totality. However,  Oklahoma City is much closer to the path of totality  than it was during the 2017 total solar eclipse.

For Oklahoma City, this will remain a partial eclipse and safe eclipse viewing glasses will need to be worn throughout the event.

What is the eclipse weather forecast in Oklahoma?

The National Weather Service in Tulsa said there's a moderate to high likelihood the  low cloud cover will remain north of the path of totality , which includes a chunk of southeast Oklahoma.

Thick, upper level clouds could stay mostly north as well, leaving mostly thinner cloud conditions across southeast Oklahoma, allowing for the eclipse to be seen through the clouds in these areas and in areas to the northeast.

Oklahoma eclipse weather: Low clouds may stay north of totality, allowing for eclipse viewing

According to USA Today, low clouds are the  worst clouds for an eclipse . Wispy, high cirrus clouds would still allow the eclipse to be seen from the ground, while cumulus clouds are more unpredictable.

There is also a threat of severe storms expected in southern Oklahoma starting around 9 p.m. Monday night.

Travel safety tips for 2024 solar eclipse

If you're traveling to the path of totality to view the solar eclipse , either in Oklahoma or another state, here are some tips to ensure the best experience:

• Pay attention to local traffic updates, and bring a physical map with you incase cellular service goes down.
• Fill up on gas before heading into rural areas, where trucks carrying fuel may have trouble reaching due to traffic.
• Keep food, water and medical supplies handy in your vehicle. There's no way to know how long you'll be stuck in traffic.
• Only remove your eclipse glasses during the few minutes of totality, when the face of the sun is completely blocked out.
• Don't stop on the side or shoulder of the road to view the eclipse.
• Arrive to your destination early, and leave late to give traffic time to calm down.

Eclipse festivals, watch parties in Oklahoma

• Oklahoma state parks  in the path of the total eclipse  include Lake Wister, Talimena, Clayton Lake, Beavers Bend and Raymond Gary.
• Science Museum Oklahoma  will host eclipse day activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including telescopes set up outside for safe viewing, creating indirect eclipse viewers, plus a storytime and crafts inside the museum.
• Fort Towson's 1840s Eclipse Watch Party:  At the Fort Towson Historic Site, visitors can explore the historic location, watch demonstrations by reenactors and witness the total solar eclipse in the afternoon.
• Cherokee Landing State Park  in Park Hill:  eclipse viewing party  with refreshments, eclipse glasses and family-friendly activities.
• Tenkiller State Park  in Vian: Visitors can make their own shadow viewer, eclipse button and pick up a commemorative eclipse T-shirt and viewing glasses from the park gift shop, and watch the solar eclipse take place in the sky over the lake.
• Fenley Farm s in Valliant: Weekend camping and day passes to view the eclipse. The six-day event will include bonfires, music, singing, storytelling, and a cookout.
• Bigfoot Spring Music Festival  in Honobia: live music, food and craft vendors, camping and Bigfoot-themed events

How to make your own eclipse viewer

• To build a box pinhole viewer you'll need a cardboard box, scissors, white sheet of paper, aluminum foil, a pencil, tape and a push pin.
• You'll need to cut the white sheet of paper, so it fits one end of the box, then tape it onto the inside of the box.
• On the opposite side of the paper, cut two holes on either end of the box. One for a viewing hole and the other, cut out a piece of the aluminum foil so it'll cover the hole completely. Tape the foil over the hole.
• Use the push pin to poke a tiny hole in the center of the foil and your pinhole viewer is complete.

When is the next solar eclipse after 2024?

Total solar eclipses are rare, with the next one visible in the US not  for another 20 years . The path of totality for the 2044 total solar eclipse will only pass through three states: Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Total solar eclipses with such a wide-reaching audience are even more rare, but much of the US is in luck as the next year, 2045, will bring  another total solar eclipse . That time, fifteen states will be in the path of totality, including a much larger portion of Oklahoma.

Solar eclipses can only happen during a new moon,  according to the National Weather Service .

Contributing: Kesheira Lately

This Airline is Now Charging Peak and Off-Peak Checked Luggage Fees. Will Others Follow?

By Jessica Puckett

Bad news for the overpackers among us: It’s now even more expensive to check baggage on one of the most popular airlines in the US .

Following a recent spate of US airlines raising their checked bag fees in early March, JetBlue is once again raising its prices for the service. Under the airline’s latest policy, JetBlue plans to charge as much as $50 for the first checked bag and as much as $70 for the second bag during “peak” travel periods, including the majority of this summer .

A JetBlue spokesperson told Condé Nast Traveler in March that raising checked baggage fees is one step the airline is taking to help return the company to profitability and cover the increased costs of transporting bags. “By adjusting fees for added services that only certain customers use, we can keep base fares low and ensure customer favorites like seatback TVs and high-speed Wi-Fi remain free for everyone,” the spokesperson said, adding that the first checked bag is free for JetBlue Plus cardmembers, and Mosaic customers can check two bags free of charge.

For everyone else, here's what you should know about JetBlue's new checked bag fees—and whether or not other airlines might follow suit.

How does JetBlue’s new checked bag policy work?

The new fee policy operates on a sliding scale, with prices jumping during “peak” travel windows and dipping during times that are considered “off-peak.”

For most economy fares—including Blue, Blue Basic, and Blue Extra—the airline’s checked bag fees now range from $35 to $50 for the first checked bag, and from $50 to $70 for the second checked bag. The full pricing breakdown is available on the luggage page of JetBlue’s site.

According to JetBlue’s website, the airline considers the following days as peak travel periods over the next year: April 11 to April 29, 2024; June 20 to September 3, 2024; November 21 to December 2, 2024; December 19, 2024 to January 6, 2025; February 13 to February 24, 2025; and April 3 to April 28, 2025.

All other days are considered off-peak travel days. Looking at the date ranges for peak travel, they do fall during some busy stretches, including the spring break travel period, almost the entire stretch of summer travel, Thanksgiving week, peak Christmas travel , as well as President’s Day 2025.

Has this type of fee policy ever been used before?

“Variable pricing is hardly new,” says Gary Leff, a travel specialist who writes the aviation blog View From the Wing . “It’s just unique for checked baggage.”

Some airlines use a sliding scale of fees for extra charges like seat selection and pricing for award trips using frequent flier miles —the more in-demand the route or travel window, the higher the cost for these services. “Some of the ultra low-cost carriers vary their bag fees as well, but it's not rigidly spelled out in the same way,” says Brett Snyder , president of Cranky Concierge , a firm that provides travel planning and airline assistance.

Will other airlines adopt JetBlue’s new checked baggage fee policy?

It’s not yet clear if charging extra for checked luggage during peak travel periods is something that will spread throughout the industry. But airlines do tend to copy each other in these areas: When one carrier raises fees, others generally follow in a domino effect—like travelers saw happen with baggage fees in early March.

“I would never be surprised to see an airline adopt a new method of charging fees that would allow it to increase revenues,” says Snyder. “This plan allows JetBlue to keep bag fees at the same low level as other airlines during off-peak times. But during peak times, it can charge more and make more money since it knows people are more likely to have to travel anyway.”

But since most major air carriers raised the cost of checking a bag only weeks ago, they might be slower to adopt JetBlue’s model, possibly waiting and watching to see how it performs. “JetBlue was first with the most recent spate of baggage fee increases, just two months ago. Since the major carriers just increased bag fees after JetBlue did, I don’t expect them to follow suit at least right away,” Leff says.

Traveler reached out to major US airlines to ask whether they might adopt a sliding scale of fees in the future, but most declined to comment, and others did not respond by time of publication.

What do these fees mean for the industry, and how can travelers avoid them?

Checked bag fees are part of the bread and butter of airlines’ profits. US airlines collectively earned nearly $5.5 billion from checked bag fees in the first nine months of 2023 alone, according to data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics . During that time period, American Airlines brought in more than $1 billion in the charges just by itself.

Airlines want to keep these fees as profitable as possible. “There’s an argument for charging more for checked bags when the capacity of aircraft to carry them is limited, for instance on routes where people tend to check a lot of baggage,” says Leff. (For its part, JetBlue has said the price increases are in part due to higher wages and the surging price of fuel, among other inflationary pressures.)

If travelers want to avoid the sliding scale of fees, there are a few key points to pay attention to in JetBlue’s new policy. “There is a discount for booking checked bags in advance instead of waiting to do it until the last minute,” Snyder says. Under the new rules, passengers can save up to $10 if they pay for a checked bag more than 24 hours before departure (essentially, before check-in opens). “If someone has to check a bag, they should do it in advance. Otherwise, the only way to avoid this is by not checking a bag. That might mean stuffing everything into a carry-on , or looking into shipping services that send you baggage ahead of you,” Snyder says.

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Why Do I Feel Gassy on Airplanes?

There are a few reasons that air travel can cause bloating. We have tips for making your next flight more comfortable.

Credit... Joyce Lee for The New York Times

Supported by

By Alice Callahan

• Published March 26, 2024 Updated March 27, 2024

Q: I often feel uncomfortably bloated during flights. Why is that, and is there anything I can do about it?

A day of air travel can throw a wrench into the inner workings of your digestive system, causing gas, bloating and the need to release some pressure.

That tightness you feel in your waistband on a flight? “This is a real thing,” said Dr. Melissa Hershman, a gastroenterologist at Oregon Health and Science University.

Some people — such as those with irritable bowel syndrome — are bothered by airplane gas and bloating more than others, said Dr. Baha Moshiree, a gastroenterologist at Atrium Health Wake Forest in Charlotte, N.C.

But, she said, understanding the causes of these symptoms can help you strategize how to avoid them.

Why air travel makes you gassy

We always have some gas in our digestive tracts. We swallow air when eating and drinking, Dr. Hershman said, and our gut microbes also produce gas.

When an airplane climbs and cabin pressure drops, that normal amount of gas expands, taking up more space in your stomach and intestines, she said. This is similar to what happens to a bag of chips or a plastic water bottle, Dr. Moshiree added. “It becomes all puffy.”

There isn’t much research on the topic, but in a 1969 study , 18 military men “agreed to avoid passing of gas” during a simulated flight. As their simulated altitude climbed from ground level to nearly 30,000 feet, their average abdominal gas more than quadrupled.

Being at high altitude also seems to slow down the muscle contractions that keep the contents of your digestive system moving, Dr. Moshiree said. Experts don’t know why this happens, she added. But it’s one reason that you may feel constipated on airplane travel days , and a sluggish gut can also allow more gas to build up.

Sitting for hours during a long flight doesn’t help, Dr. Hershman said — walking and other physical activity normally help keep the gastrointestinal tract “moving along.”

Travel stress and anxiety can also worsen gas and bloating, said Megan Riehl, a gastrointestinal psychologist at Michigan Medicine.

How to prevent and cope with gas while traveling

You can’t change the altitude or air pressure of your plane. But if flying makes you gassy and bloated, experts have suggestions for your next trip.

Watch what you eat. Starting the day before your departure, avoid foods that you know make you gassy, said Tamara Duker Freuman, a dietitian in New York City who specializes in digestive conditions. Common culprits include high FODMAP foods like beans, onions, garlic, wheat, and certain nuts, dairy products and fruits.

On your travel day, continue to avoid these foods. Consider packing meals or snacks that sit well with you, Dr. Riehl added, so you aren’t at the mercy of what’s available in the airport.

Stay hydrated. “Hydration is key” for avoiding constipation, which can worsen gas and bloating, Dr. Moshiree said. Bring a refillable water bottle so that you can sip water throughout the day. And avoid alcohol the day before and the day of travel, since it can be dehydrating, she added.

Coffee has a bad reputation for being dehydrating, but there’s no evidence that it is — or that coffee increases bloating, Ms. Freuman said.

For some people, carbonated beverages can increase gas symptoms, Ms. Freuman said. But for others, seltzer may help them burp a bit and reduce gas buildup. “Know thyself,” she said, and choose your beverages accordingly.

Use medications and supplements as needed. You can consider taking an over-the-counter medication like Gas-X or Mylanta before your flight, Dr. Hershman said. Or try an enzyme supplement like Beano or Fodzyme before eating, which may help reduce gas produced from digestion, she added.

Avoid gum. Chewing gum may ease ear discomfort while flying, but it can also cause you to swallow more air, Dr. Hershman said. If you’re concerned about bloating, try skipping the gum or limiting your chewing, she said.

Move your body. If you can, get up from your seat every hour or so, Ms. Freuman said. Try to find some space to reach toward your toes, or twist your midsection from side to side. These movements can help the gas spread out in your gut rather than pooling in one spot, she said.

Breathe deeply. If you’re stuck in your seat, diaphragmatic breathing may help reduce stress and relax your gut, Dr. Riehl said.

First, take a four-second inhale through your nose and feel your belly rising, she explained. Then, exhale for six seconds through your mouth and feel your belly fall.

‘Let it go.’ If gas is causing pain or discomfort, holding it in will make you feel worse, Dr. Riehl added. “It’s healthy to just let it out.”

Walk to the bathroom if you can. But if that’s not an option, let the engine noise be your cover and “just let it go,” she said.

“Trust me,” she said, “you’re not the only one farting on an airplane.”

Alice Callahan is a Times reporter covering nutrition and health. She has a Ph.D. in nutrition from the University of California, Davis. More about Alice Callahan

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Solar eclipse 2024: Everything to know about the celestial event in NYC, Tri-State

Millions in New York City and across the country had a chance to see the total solar eclipse as it moves over North America.

The eclipse started just after 2:00 p.m. in the New York City area with skies darkening around 2:50 p.m. Peak coverage was at 90 percent at 3:25 p.m.

Eyewitness News had team coverage of the big event, including meteorologist Lee Goldberg reporting from Burlington, Vermont while Brittany Bell reported from Niagara Falls.

This eclipse was almost twice as long, with an even wider audience, than the total solar eclipse that stretched coast-to-coast in the U.S. in 2017.

The moon covered the sun for up to 4 minutes, 28 seconds, a spectacle normally unfolding in remote corners of the globe but this time passing over major cities like Dallas, Indianapolis and Cleveland and Buffalo.

Monday's spectacle was watched by millions in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. It was North America's biggest eclipse crowd ever, thanks to the densely populated path.

EVERYTHING TO KNOW ABOUT THE 2024 SOLAR ECLIPSE

Big crowds gather to view the eclipse at the green-wood cemetery.

One of the more unique places where people came together to watch the eclipse was in Brooklyn at Green-wood Cemetery.

Kemberly Richardson has the story:

Eclipse sparks interest in science for students

For kids and teenagers, a day like Monday could help spark a lifetime interest in science and astronomy.

Michelle Charlesworth is at a school in Boonton Township, New Jersey, where there are special eclipse lessons and programs for students.

Toni Yates was at the Liberty Science Center where many gathered on the Great Lawn to watch the eclipse.

Cheers break out in Mexico as eclipse begins

Cheers broke out along the beach in this resort city as the moon began to pass over the sun.

Hundreds in a beachside park had passed the waiting time by readying their equipment and listening to a youth orchestra play Star Wars songs while a large screen projected images of Princess Leia behind them.

Luz Elena Aguillón de la O sat in the grass with a group of 14 family and friends who had gathered from Mexico City, Guanajuato and right here in Mazatlan to take in the spectacle.

"Happy to be here with family, friends sharing a singular, unrepeatable event that the universe and nature give us," she said.

Eclipse excitement in Central Park

From the top of The Edge to Central Park, New Yorkers have plenty of options to take in the eclipse.

Lauren Glassberg is in Central Park as the excitement builds:

Last-minute scramble to find eclipse glasses

New Yorkers waited in line all weekend and even Monday morning and early afternoon to get their hands on eclipse glasses.

CeFaan Kim was there as the line wrapped around the block in front of B&H Photo in Midtown.

What the solar eclipse means depending on your astrological sign

While we know the total solar eclipse is a major deal astronomically, many have been taking to social media wondering what it means astrologically .

It's a rare occurrence, a cosmic coincidence, the moon's shadow masking the sun, it's a total solar eclipse. While millions will be looking to the sky to witness the eclipse, lots are looking to the stars to see what it means for them.

Companies roll out total solar eclipse promotions

More and more businesses are taking advantage of the total solar eclipse set to dim skies across North America.

In the snacks department alone, Krispy Kreme is teaming up with Oreo to sell a limited doughnut-cookie creation. Sonic Drive-In is selling a "Blackout Slush Float." And Frito-Lay's SunChips has unveiled a new flavor that will only be available during the celestial event's nearly 4 and a half minutes of totality.

Meanwhile, airlines like Southwest and Delta have advertised eclipse-viewing flight paths. And beyond promotions from big-name brands, small businesses along the 115 mile (185 kilometer)-wide prime path are leading the charge to meet the incoming tourist demand. Nina Pineda has more details:

Tourism boost in New York

Gov. Kathy Hochul said at least one million tourists have come to New York to see the eclipse.

Despite the clouds in Western New York, "all the hotels are still booked. hotel taxes are still being collected. restaurants were still packed yesterday."

She said the state is "experiencing less traffic than we had planned for" in Western New York, "which is good. I will say its a different dynamic than the other half of the state, where people are heading north from New York City to Albany and up to Plattsburgh."

Free glasses, best viewing locations across Tri-State to see total solar eclipse

New York City public libraries are offering eclipse glasses while supplies last and there are plans for New York City Parks to host viewing events in all five boroughs.

Check out a full list of where to view the eclipse as well as other places to get your free eclipse glasses.

How to find the best solar eclipse viewing spot near you

As excitement builds for the total solar eclipse on Monday, the Tri-State area may have some of the more favorable viewing spots in the country.

And the New York City area, though 10% shy of totality, will enjoy a great shot of taking in the celestial spectacle, with darkening skies, dropping temperatures and wild animals reacting to the sudden dimming.

Upstate New York could offer a sweet spot for viewing. Places like Syracuse are right on the edge of the path of totality and where cloud cover will be lowest.

How the solar eclipse will impact plants and animals

Scientists will be studying how the solar eclipse phenomenon will affect plant and animal activity on Earth . The eclipse may last just mere minutes for those in the path of totality, but the effect it has on the natural world will be profound, researchers told ABC News.

Researchers expect breeding birds to quiet down, crickets to start to vocalize and bees to stop buzzing.

LaVerne Biser, 105, to witness his 13th solar eclipse

LaVerne Biser will soon witness his 13th solar eclipse on April 8. The 105-year-old, born in Ohio, would travel the world with his wife, Marion Biser, and schedule their vacations around the eclipse.

Biser is an amateur astronomer who has a large collection of images and photos of the solar eclipses they've witnessed. By trade, he was a mechanical engineer, whose team performed stress tests for large-scale planes.

State of emergency declared as 1 million people expected to visit Niagara Falls

Ontario's Niagara Region has declared a state of emergency as it prepares to welcome up to a million visitors for the solar eclipse in early April. The total solar eclipse will be the first to touch the province since 1979, and Niagara Falls was declared by National Geographic to be one of the best places to see it.

The city is in the path of totality, where the moon will entirely block the sun's rays for a few minutes. Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati said earlier in March that he expects the most visitors his city has ever seen in a single day.

New York City public libraries to give away free solar eclipse shades for safe viewing

If you still need to pick up shades for the total solar eclipse, New York City libraries have you covered. All three of the city's public library systems will be distributing free solar eclipse glasses .

Glasses will be available while quantities last on a first-come, first-serve basis at all Brooklyn Public Library, Queens Public Library, and New York Public Library locations.

New York inmates are suing to watch solar eclipse after state orders prisons locked down

Inmates in New York are suing the state corrections department over the decision to lock down prisons during next Monday's total solar eclipse.

The suit filed Friday in federal court in upstate New York argues that the April 8 lockdown violates inmates' constitutional rights to practice their faiths by preventing them from taking part in a religiously significant event.

Fake eclipse glasses are hitting the market. Here's how to tell if you have a pair

As the total solar eclipse, occurring across Mexico, the United States and Canada on April 8, draws near, experts are reminding spectators to grab a pair of eclipse glasses to view the celestial event safely - and to make sure they aren't fake .

Whether you're using a fancy camera or a smartphone, here's how to take photos of the solar eclipse

The upcoming April 8 total eclipse will likely be the one of the most photographed events of the year, with almost 32 million people in the United States alone living in the path of totality.

Weather permitting, it is an incredible opportunity for photographers of any skill level. Whether you're working with a high-end DSLR camera or a smartphone, an experienced astrophotographer has some tips on how to make the moment last through images.

Total solar eclipse could cause air travel delays: FAA

A total solar eclipse set to deliver a stunning display in the sky on April 8 could be trouble for some air travelers and pilots due to possible flight delays, the Federal Aviation Administration warned.

The eclipse -- which will pass over Mexico, the United States and Canada -- is expected to impact air traffic and airports along the eclipse's path from April 7 until April 10, the FAA said in a notice about special air traffic procedures. This could mean delays for air travelers, too -- especially as the eclipse overlaps with spring break travel, the agency said Wednesday.

The FAA estimated that any air travel impacts from the eclipse would be felt from April 7 at 6 a.m. until April 10 at midnight.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Chief Meteorologist Lee Goldberg will cover the eclipse from Vermont, while meteorologist Brittany Bell will be reporting from Niagara Falls. Plus, we invite you to watch

ABC News and National Geographic's "Eclipse Across America" live on April 8 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. EDT on ABC, ABC News Live, National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Disney+ and Hulu.

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Middle East crisis — explained

The conflict between Israel and Palestinians — and other groups in the Middle East — goes back decades. These stories provide context for current developments and the history that led up to them.

Israel's military dismisses officers over World Central Kitchen airstrike

Daniel Estrin

Palestinians inspect a vehicle with the logo of the World Central Kitchen wrecked by an Israeli airstrike in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip. Ismael Abu Dayyah/AP hide caption

Palestinians inspect a vehicle with the logo of the World Central Kitchen wrecked by an Israeli airstrike in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip.

TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel's military says its investigation into airstrikes Tuesday that killed seven aid workers in Gaza concluded that the strikes were carried out "in serious violation" of military operating procedures, and that senior military officers would be dismissed and reprimanded.

These are the World Central Kitchen aid workers killed by Israeli airstrike in Gaza

The deadly Israeli strikes on a three-car convoy of the food charity World Central Kitchen — running one of the most prominent aid operations in Gaza to address a dire shortage of food — mark the first time visiting international aid workers, including one U.S. citizen, have been killed in Gaza during Israel's ongoing offensive.

The incident marks a turning point in the war, with President Biden saying he would condition U.S. policy in Gaza on Israel taking steps to protect civilians and aid workers. Local aid workers with the United Nations and other aid groups have been killed in Israeli strikes previously.

Biden warns Netanyahu that U.S. policy on Gaza hinges on improved conditions there

World Central Kitchen welcomed the Israeli military investigation and disciplinary action against military officials, but it called for an "independent commission" to investigate the strikes.

"The IDF cannot credibly investigate its own failure in Gaza," the group said in a statement , using the initials for the Israel Defense Forces.

In a briefing to journalists late Thursday, Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari and Yoav Har-Even, who heads the military's unit that investigates allegations of misconduct, described "a lot of mistakes" that led to the deadly strikes.

When a three-car convoy left the warehouse, soldiers thought the group entering a vehicle was carrying a rifle when, in hindsight, it appears to have been only a bag, the military officials said in the press briefing.

Israel's aerial surveillance cameras could not identify World Central Kitchen's logos on the roofs of the vehicles because it was nighttime, past 10 p.m., the military said.

People inspect the site where World Central Kitchen workers were killed in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Tuesday. World Central Kitchen, an aid group, says an Israeli strike that hit its workers in Gaza killed seven people. Abdel Kareem Hana/AP hide caption

People inspect the site where World Central Kitchen workers were killed in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Tuesday. World Central Kitchen, an aid group, says an Israeli strike that hit its workers in Gaza killed seven people.

A commander "mistakenly assumed that the gunmen were located inside the accompanying vehicles and that these were Hamas terrorists," the military said in a written statement Friday. "The forces did not identify the vehicles in question as being associated with WCK."

The statement said two officers were dismissed over the incident, the brigade fire support commander, a major, and the brigade chief of staff, a reserve colonel.

Two others will be formally reprimanded: the brigade commander, a colonel, and a division commander, a brigadier general.

"The investigation's findings indicate that the incident should not have occurred," the military said in its statement. "Those who approved the strike were convinced that they were targeting armed Hamas operatives and not WCK employees. The strike on the aid vehicles is a grave mistake stemming from a serious failure due to a mistaken identification, errors in decision-making, and an attack contrary to the Standard Operating Procedures."

The military said it had briefed World Central Kitchen on the findings. It expressed "deep sorrow" for the deaths of the seven aid workers and said it would continue to coordinate international aid activities and protect aid workers' lives.

"The root cause of the unjustified rocket fire on our convoy is the severe lack of food in Gaza," World Central Kitchen said in its response to the military investigation. "Israel needs to dramatically increase the volume of food and medicine traveling by land if it is serious about supporting humanitarian aid."

Alon Avital in Tel Aviv contributed reporting.

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What time the 2024 solar eclipse starts, reaches peak totality and ends today

By Sarah Maddox

Updated on: April 8, 2024 / 8:51 PM EDT / CBS News

The 2024 solar eclipse will be visible across North America today. As the moon's position between the Earth and sun casts a shadow on North America, that shadow, or umbra, will travel along the surface from west to east at more than 1,500 miles per hour along the path of totality . 

That means the eclipse will start, peak and end at different times — as will the moments of total darkness along the path of totality — and the best time to view the eclipse depends on where you are located. Some places along the path will have more totality time than others.

In Texas, the south-central region had clouds in the forecast , but it was better to the northeast, according to the National Weather Service. The best eclipse viewing weather was expected in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine, as well as in Canada's New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

What time does the 2024 total solar eclipse start?

The total solar eclipse will emerge over the South Pacific Ocean before the shadow falls across North America, beginning in parts of Mexico. The path of totality , where onlookers can witness the moon fully blocking the sun (through eclipse viewing glasses for safety ), is expected to first make landfall near the city of Mazatlán around 9:51 a.m. MT. 

The total solar eclipse will cross over the U.S.-Mexico border into Texas, where it will emerge over Eagle Pass at 12:10 p.m. CT and then peak at about 1:27 p.m. CT.

In Dallas, NASA data shows the partial eclipse will first become visible at 12:23 p.m. CT and peak at 1:40 p.m. CT. The next states in the path of totality are Oklahoma and Arkansas, where the eclipse begins in Little Rock at 12:33 p.m. CT. 

Cleveland will see the beginning of the eclipse at 1:59 p.m. ET. Darkness will start spreading over the sky in Buffalo, New York, at 2:04 p.m. ET. Then, the eclipse will reach northwestern Vermont, including Burlington, at 2:14 p.m. ET. Parts of New Hampshire and Maine will also follow in the path of totality before the eclipse first reaches the Canadian mainland  at 3:13 p.m. ET.

Although the experience won't be exactly the same, viewers in all the contiguous U.S. states outside the path of totality will still be able to see a partial eclipse. Some places will see most of the sun blocked by the moon, including Washington, D.C., where the partial eclipse will start at 2:04 p.m. ET and peak at about 3:20 p.m. ET.

In Chicago, viewers can start viewing the partial eclipse at 12:51 p.m. CT, with the peak arriving at 2:07 p.m. CT.  In Detroit, viewers will be able to enjoy a near-total eclipse beginning at 1:58 p.m. ET and peaking at 3:14 p.m. ET.

New York City will also see a substantial partial eclipse, beginning at 2:10 p.m. ET and peaking around 3:25 p.m. ET.

In Boston it will begin at 2:16 p.m. ET and peak at about 3:29 p.m. ET.

The below table by NASA shows when the eclipse will start, peak and end in 13 cities along the eclipse's path.

What time will the solar eclipse reach peak totality?

Millions more people will have the chance to witness the total solar eclipse this year than during the last total solar eclipse , which was visible from the U.S. in 2017. 

The eclipse's peak will mean something different for cities within the path of totality and for those outside. Within the path of totality, darkness will fall for a few minutes. The longest will last more than 4 minutes, but most places will see between 3.5 and 4 minutes of totality. In cities experiencing a partial eclipse, a percentage of the sun will be obscured for more than two hours.

Mazatlán is set to experience totality at 11:07 am PT. Dallas will be able to see the moon fully cover the sun at 1:40 p.m. CT. Little Rock will start to see the full eclipse at 1:51 p.m. CT, Cleveland at 3:13 p.m. ET and Buffalo at 3:18 p.m. ET. Totality will reach Burlington at 3:26 p.m. ET before moving into the remaining states and reaching Canada around 4:25 p.m.

Outside the path of totality, 87.4% of the sun will be eclipsed in Washington, D.C. at 3:20 p.m. ET, and Chicago will have maximum coverage of 93.9% at 2:07 p.m. CT. New York City is much closer to the path of totality this year than it was in 2017; it will see 89.6% coverage at 3:25 p.m. EDT. 

Detroit is another city that will encounter a near-total eclipse, with 99.2% maximum coverage at 3:14 p.m. ET. Boston will see 92.4% coverage at 3:29 p.m. ET.

What time will the solar eclipse end?

The eclipse will leave continental North America from Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. NT, according to NASA.

At the beginning of the path of totality in Mazatlán, the eclipse will be over by 12:32 p.m. PT, and it will leave Dallas at 3:02 p.m. CT. The eclipse will end in Little Rock at 3:11 p.m. CT, Cleveland at 4:29 p.m. CDT and Buffalo at 4:32 p.m. ET. Burlington won't be far behind, with the eclipse concluding at 4:37 p.m. ET.

Meanwhile, the viewing will end in Chicago at 3:21 p.m. CT, Washington, D.C. at 4:32 p.m. ET, and New York City at 4:36 p.m. ET. 

In Detroit, the partial eclipse will disappear at 4:27 p.m. ET, and in Boston, it will be over at 4:39 p.m. ET.

How long will the eclipse last in total?

The total solar eclipse will begin in Mexico at 11:07 a.m. PT and leave continental North America at 5:16 p.m. NT. From the time the partial eclipse first appears on Earth to its final glimpses before disappearing thousands of miles away, the celestial show will dazzle viewers for about 5 hours, according to timeanddate.com . 

The length of the total solar eclipse at points along the path depends on the viewing location. The longest will be 4 minutes and 28 seconds, northwest of Torreón, Mexico. Near the center of the path, totality takes place for the longest periods of time, according to NASA.

Spectators will observe totality for much longer today than during the 2017 eclipse , when the longest stretch of totality was 2 minutes and 32 seconds.

The moon's shadow seen on Earth today, called the umbra, travels at more than 1,500 miles per hour, according to NASA. It would move even more quickly if the Earth rotated in the opposite direction.

What is the longest a solar eclipse has ever lasted?

The longest known totality was 7 minutes and 28 seconds in 743 B.C. However, NASA says this record will be broken in 2186 with a 7 minute, 29 second total solar eclipse. The next total solar eclipse visible from parts of the U.S. won't happen until Aug. 23, 2044.

Sarah Maddox has been with CBS News since 2019. She works as an associate producer for CBS News Live.

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