On April 8, 2024, North America will witness one of the most awe-inspiring natural events—a total solar eclipse. As the day approaches, everyone is asking questions about this rare celestial event.
I’ve experienced seven total solar eclipses and written thousands of articles and books about the phenomenon, interviewing virtually everyone in the eclipse community multiple times. Here are my answers to your most frequently asked questions:
What is a total solar eclipse?
A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes precisely between the sun and Earth, casting a shadow on the planet. When you stand under the path of that shadow, also known as the path of totality, all of the sun’s rays will be blocked for a few minutes, and you’ll experience darkness during the day. If there’s a clear sky, then those inside the path of totality—and only them—will briefly see the sun’s corona with their naked eyes.
When is the next total solar eclipse in the U.S.?
The next total solar eclipse in North America will occur on Monday, April 8.
What time is the eclipse in the U.S.?
In the U.S., totality will begin in Texas at 1:27 pm CDT and end in Maine at 3:35 pm EDT—a total of 68 minutes split between two timezones.
Do I need special glasses to view the eclipse?
You will need special eclipse glasses or solar filters to view the partial phases of the eclipse safely. Regular sunglasses are not safe to use for viewing the eclipse.
Where should I buy solar eclipse glasses?
Wherever you buy eclipse glasses, you should check that the company or brand is on the American Astronomical Society’s vetted list of Suppliers of Safe Solar Filters & Viewers that all use products that adhere to the ISO 12312-2 international standard. Hurry—stocks of U.S.-made solar eclipse glasses may run low in advance of the event. Just don’t go looking for “NASA-approved solar eclipse glasses”—they do not exist!
Where can I get free eclipse glasses?
They only cost a few dollars, and it’s fine to share one pair among several people. About 13,000 public libraries in the U.S. are involved in the Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries project, giving out five million solar eclipse glasses for free, but check this interactive map to see if your local library is involved—it may not be. Other good places include science museums, planetariums, local amateur astronomy clubs, schools, universities and eclipse-observing events.
When was the last total solar eclipse?
The last total solar eclipse occurred in Western Australia, Timor Leste and Indonesia on April 20, 2023. However, the last total solar eclipse to happen in North America was on August 21, 2017. It was nicknamed the “Great American Eclipse” and crossed 12 U.S. states from Oregon to South Carolina. About 12 million people witnessed totality that day. On April 8, as many as 42 million could experience totality in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada.
What is it like to experience a total solar eclipse?
What happens during totality: the sky will turn dark, and the temperature will drop. You can remove your eclipse glasses and gaze at the sun’s spiky white corona, which becomes visible around the moon’s edges. Explosions on the sun’s surface will be seen as pink loops and towers. Stars and planets—particularly Venus—will become visible. There could even be a comet called Pons-Brooks, though only if it brightens.
What is the path of totality?
The path of totality is the area on Earth where the sun is completely blocked by the moon during the total solar eclipse. If you’re not within the path of totality, you’ll only see a partial solar eclipse.
Where is the path of totality?
On April 8, the path of totality will travel across North America from Mexico to Canada, passing through the southwest, midwest and northeast U.S. The path of totality will be about 115 miles wide and over 3,200 miles long as it moves across North America.
It will cross parts of five states in Mexico (Sinaloa, Nayarit, Durango, Coahuila and Chihuahua), 15 U.S. states (Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee (northwest corner), Michigan (southeast corner), Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine) and six Canadian Provinces (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland).
How long will the total solar eclipse last?
The total solar eclipse will last for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds, depending on your location within the path of totality. The maximum possible totality will reduce as the moon’s shadow tracks from southwest to northeast. To experience the longest possible totality in any given region, you must be on the centerline of the path of totality. Although 4 minutes 28 seconds is only possible in Mexico, Texas Hill Country will see 4 minutes and 26 seconds. Totality will reduce by a minute or so as the path of totality tracks southwest to northeast across the U.S. and Canada.
Check on this interactive map, this eclipse simulator and this eclipse look-up for details on the start and end times of the eclipse for any specific location.
How often do total solar eclipses occur?
A total solar eclipse occurs somewhere in the world about once every 18 months, on average. However, for a total solar eclipse to occur in one specific place is very rare. It’s been estimated that only one in 10,000 people ever experience a total solar eclipse.
What is the difference between a total, partial, and annular solar eclipse?
A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon completely blocks the sun’s light, a partial solar eclipse occurs when the moon only partially blocks the sun’s light, and an annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon is too far from Earth to completely block the sun’s light.
Where can I get eclipse maps?
There are so many incredible online resources to help you get yourself in the right place to see totality:
What are some good places to travel to see the eclipse?
Some popular places to travel to see the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse include Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo, and Montreal.
Are there any special events planned to celebrate the eclipse?
There are thousands of events being planned to mark the eclipse, from NASA events to small community events via true luxury experiences—including eclipse flights. The best places to find out about events are:
Are there any NASA events for the eclipse?
NASA TV will be live streaming the eclipse from across the U.S. with confirmed plans to broadcast from the Kerrville Eclipse Festival in Kerrville, Texas, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indiana, the Southern Illinois Crossroads Eclipse Festival in Carbondale, Illinois and from Total Eclipse Fest 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Where is the best place to see the eclipse?
The best place to view a total solar eclipse is from somewhere in the path of totality where the sky is clear.
Where is the best weather for the eclipse?
You’ll read over and over that Mexico has the best chance of a clear sky, then Texas. It’s true, but that’s all based on historical cloud cover. During an eclipse, clouds can clear. Read Eclipsophile and check the average cloud coverage figure for April 8 this century for your location on Timeanddate so you know what to expect. But take it all with a pinch of salt until a few days before the eclipse—weather forecasts three days out are the only thing that really matters, but that “eclipse cooling” means even if it’s cloudy everywhere, you should still travel into the path.
What happens if it’s cloudy?
If you’re in the path of totality and it is cloudy during totality, the sky will darken quite dramatically (light levels will drop 10,000 times in the last few seconds before totality), animal behavior can be affected—particularly birds—and the temperature will drop. The only thing you will miss will be the chance to see the sun’s corona with your naked eyes.
Is there a live stream of the eclipse available online?
Yes, there are always live streams of solar eclipses available online for those who are unable to view the eclipse in person. Confirmed and reliable feeds on YouTube include:
Why does a total solar eclipse happen?
A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun and completely covers the bright disk of the sun, casting a shadow onto the Earth. It’s rare because the moon’s orbit of the Earth is not the same as the sun’s path through the sky.
Are total solar eclipses rare?
The size of the moon’s shadow means a total solar eclipse is rare to witness. There are a lot of factors, including Earth’s rotational speed, that make them occur only about once every 375 years in any specific location. The U.S. is very lucky to get two total solar eclipses in seven years.
For the very latest on the total solar eclipse—including travel and lodging options—check my main feed for new articles each day.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
