The total solar eclipse of 2024 is a highly anticipated astronomical event. It will occur on April 8, 2024, and is expected to cross over North America, providing a spectacular view to millions of observers across the continent. This eclipse will be particularly notable because it will traverse a path from Mexico through the United States and into Canada, making it accessible to a large number of people.
Path of Totality
The path of totality, where observers can experience the full eclipse with the moon completely covering the sun, will start in Mexico, moving northeastward across several U.S. states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, before moving into the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Viewing the Eclipse
For those located within the path of totality, the sky will darken during the daytime as if it were dusk or early evening. Stars and planets might become visible, and the temperature could drop noticeably. Observers will also have the chance to see the sun’s corona, the outer atmosphere of the sun, which is usually obscured by the bright light of the sun itself.
Safety
It’s important to remember that looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, without proper protection can cause serious eye damage. Special eclipse glasses or viewers that meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard are recommended for anyone planning to observe the eclipse.
Next Opportunity
The 2024 total solar eclipse will be especially significant because the next total solar eclipse visible from the United States won’t occur until 2044. This makes the 2024 event an exceptional opportunity for people in North America to experience one of nature’s most awe-inspiring spectacles.
Educational and Community Events
Many communities along the path of totality are planning events and activities to celebrate the eclipse, including educational programs, viewing parties, and scientific observations. It presents an excellent opportunity for communities to come together and for individuals to learn more about astronomy and the natural world.
This eclipse promises to be a memorable experience for all who are able to witness it, offering a unique moment to observe the wonders of the cosmos firsthand.
A total solar eclipse will pass over North America today, with almost 32 million Americans living in its path. It marks the last total solar eclipse visible in the US for the next 20 years. See here to track the eclipse’s path.
The event happens when the moon passes directly in front of the sun. Since the moon’s orbit is elliptical, its distance from Earth varies, dictating how much of the sun will be covered. A total solar eclipse—where the moon is close enough to entirely block the sun—happens roughly every 18 months but is often only visible from the open ocean or difficult-to-access areas. Over the past century, only 13 total solar eclipses have been visible in the US, the last one being in 2017.
Millions of Americans are traveling across the US for a chance to see a total solar eclipse. Airbnb rentals have booked up along prime viewing locations, while others will have a chance to see a partial eclipse.
Onlookers are urged to wear eclipse glasses, which are at least 1,000 times darker than sunglasses, to protect their eyesight—an eclipse can disrupt the eye’s instinct to turn from the sun’s rays (look for the symbol ISO 12312-2).
NASA explains, looking looking directly at the sun — even during an eclipse — can present “significant” danger because “photic retinal injuries occur without any feeling of pain (there are no pain receptors in the retina), and the visual effects do not occur for at least several hours after the damage is done.”
In the US, an estimated 32 million people live within the path of totality and a total solar eclipse was visible for those in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, although weather threatened to spoil the fun for some.9
It will be 20 years before there’s a chance to witness a total solar eclipse in the United States again. According to NASA, after Monday’s total solar eclipse, the next one viewable from the contiguous U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044
Happy (and safe) eclipse viewing!
