In Science: April 2024

April 8, 2024 - Solar Eclipse

The solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, was the first with totality visible in the contiguous United States since the one occurring on August 21, 2017. Another total solar eclipse will not be visible in the contiguous U.S. until August 23, 2044. Approximately 44 million people lived in the path of totality and 652 million experienced a partial eclipse.

The magnitude of the eclipse was 1.0566, meaning the moon's angular diameter was 1.0566 times that of the Sun, giving it a maximum eclipse time of 4 minutes and 28 seconds. Furthermore, the eclipse occurred around the solar maximum, leading to visible solar prominences.

April 15, 2024 - Coral Bleaching

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed a 4th global coral bleaching event on April 15, 2024. The event is the fourth on record after events in 1998, 2010, and 2014-2017, with the latter considered the longest, most widespread, and most damaging event on record. The current ongoing event is expected to surpass the severity of the 2014-2017 event.

April 23, 2024 - World’s Largest 3D Printer

The Factory of the Future 1.0 (FoF 1.0) is unveiled at the University of Maine. The printer uses thermoplastic polymers and can print objects up to 96 feet (29 m) long by 32 feet (9.8 m) wide by 18 feet (5.5 m) high, at a rate of 500 pounds (230 kg) per hour.