Today's Google Doodle combines art and science to get in on the total solar eclipse frenzy

The day when the moon blocks the sun’s rays for a few minutes (weather and location permitting),, has arrived, and search engine giant Google honored the total solar eclipse with its doodle drawing Monday.

Featured on the front page of google.com, users can enjoy a drawing that was created by Google Doodler Alyssa Winans. Depicting the total eclipse through the letters of Google, fans can enjoy the two subjects that often do not meet: art and science.

With solar eclipse glasses on for safety, Winans’ drawing represents each type of eclipse watcher. From the fully engaged in their lawn chairs to the person who missed the celestial event because they fell asleep, you may find yourself in one of the doodle’s letters. Like the Google solar eclipse animation that launched last week, the doodle changes from light to darkness as the letters embrace the rare phenomena.

Here is what the Google Doodle looks like:

Google Doodle in 2017

For the solar eclipse that happened in August 2017, Google created an animated doodle that shows two space aliens playing volleyball with the moon. Rotating in circles through the air, the moon partially covers the sun. Google’s logo is covered in stars and is visible in the sky above the two space creatures.

The total solar eclipse is Monday:Here's everything to know, including time, path, safety

Google solar eclipse animation

On Friday, Google joined in on the eclipse frenzy by adding a cool animation that gives its users an interactive feel at their own leisure.

Google users who search about the eclipse can see a graphic overlay depicting what millions on the path of totality will see Monday: the moment when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, revealing just the sun's outermost layer called the corona.

“The moon is having its day in the sun, and people across North America are coming to Google to learn more and celebrate this rare event," Jessica Yu, Google's doodle team lead, told USA TODAY. "We’re excited to mark the 2024 solar eclipse with special experiences on Search for eclipse watchers.”

Yu said that a team of user experience designers created the animation to engage its users.

Science and technology lovers can enjoy the animation by searching specific keywords.

How can you see Google's total solar eclipse animation?

To see the animation for yourself, users can type the following into the search engine at google.com:

• April 8 eclipse
• Eclipse 2024
• Solar eclipse
• Solar eclipse 2024

Here is what you should see on your screen:

When is the total solar eclipse?

On April 8, a total solar eclipse is expected to pass over he United States, Mexico and Canada.

Nearly 28% of the U.S. will experience the eclipse's journey through the country for a few minutes, NASAreports.

What states will get to see the solar eclipse?

The path of the eclipse will enter the U.S. in Texas, and pass through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, according to NASA, which added that some parts of Michigan and Tennessee will also experience it.

When was the last solar eclipse?

The last total solar eclipse in the U.S. happened on Aug. 21, 2017. In October, skygazers were delighted by a rare "ring of fire" solar eclipse, where the moon slides in front of the sun but doesn't totally obscure it, creating a halo effect.

Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at aforbes@gannett.com. Follow her on Instagram, Threads and X @forbesfineest.