Total solar eclipses are rare, and 2024 eclipse in the US is the last one for the next 20 years. Unless you want to wait until 2044 to see one, the April 8th total eclipse is the one not to miss.
If you’re not familiar with how a total eclipse occurs, it’s when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align perfectly, and the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s light on the Earth. The alignment is an astronomical rarity, you could call it a cosmic coincidence. Learn more about how it works on NASA’s website.
All the more reason to take part in the eclipse viewing on April 8, 2024.
This handy graphic shows how the eclipse looks from afar, and the shadow that the moon casts on our planet.
“A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, casting its shadow on Earth. The shadow comprises two concentric cones, a dark inner shadow called the umbra and a lighter outer shadow called the penumbra. Observers on Earth who are within the smaller, central umbra see the Sun completely blocked. Within the larger penumbra, the Sun is only partially blocked.”
-NASA
This graphic shows us the path of totality, which will stretch across North America, creating a spectacular natural event when it passes.
We’ve read about hotel and Airbnb bookings, which are all in hot demand in the path of totality. Are you making the trek to see the path of totality, or do you already live within it?
So what does it feel like and look like?
As the moon passes directly in front of the sun, the sky will start to turn dark, and the temperature will drop. The sky continues to darken dramatically, creating a twilight appearance in the middle of the day. As Totality approaches, the sun starts to look white behind the moon, and the experience takes on an almost surreal feeling.
When we last experienced totality in 2017, the experience felt profound, and highly emotional. Definitely something not to miss.
Where the Path of Totality Extends
Below is a table of when and where the best places in the country are to see totality, or full eclipse.
|
Location
|
Partial Begins
|
Totality Begins
|
Maximum
|
Totality Ends
|
Partial Ends
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dallas, Texas
|
12:23 p.m. CDT
|
1:40 p.m. CDT
|
1:42 p.m. CDT
|
1:44 p.m. CDT
|
3:02 p.m. CDT
|
|
Idabel, Oklahoma
|
12:28 p.m. CDT
|
1:45 p.m. CDT
|
1:47 p.m. CDT
|
1:49 p.m. CDT
|
3:06 p.m. CDT
|
|
Little Rock, Arkansas
|
12:33 p.m. CDT
|
1:51 p.m. CDT
|
1:52 p.m. CDT
|
1:54 p.m. CDT
|
3:11 p.m. CDT
|
|
Poplar Bluff, Missouri
|
12:39 p.m. CDT
|
1:56 p.m. CDT
|
1:56 p.m. CDT
|
2:00 p.m. CDT
|
3:15 p.m. CDT
|
|
Paducah, Kentucky
|
12:42 p.m. CDT
|
2:00 p.m. CDT
|
2:01 p.m. CDT
|
2:02 p.m. CDT
|
3:18 p.m. CDT
|
|
Carbondale, Illinois
|
12:42 p.m. CDT
|
1:59 p.m. CDT
|
2:01 p.m. CDT
|
2:03 p.m. CDT
|
3:18 p.m. CDT
|
|
Evansville, Indiana
|
12:45 p.m. CDT
|
2:02 p.m. CDT
|
2:04 p.m. CDT
|
2:05 p.m. CDT
|
3:20 p.m. CDT
|
|
Cleveland, Ohio
|
1:59 p.m. EDT
|
3:13 p.m. EDT
|
3:15 p.m. EDT
|
3:17 p.m. EDT
|
4:29 p.m. EDT
|
|
Erie, Pennsylvania
|
2:02 p.m. EDT
|
3:16 p.m. EDT
|
3:18 p.m. EDT
|
3:20 p.m. EDT
|
4:30 p.m. EDT
|
|
Buffalo, New York
|
2:04 p.m. EDT
|
3:18 p.m. EDT
|
3:20 p.m. EDT
|
3:22 p.m. EDT
|
4:32 p.m. EDT
|
|
Burlington, Vermont
|
2:14 p.m. EDT
|
3:26 p.m. EDT
|
3:27 p.m. EDT
|
3:29 p.m. EDT
|
4:37 p.m. EDT
|
|
Lancaster, New Hampshire
|
2:16 p.m. EDT
|
3:27 p.m. EDT
|
3:29 p.m. EDT
|
3:30 p.m. EDT
|
4:38 p.m. EDT
|
|
Caribou, Maine
|
2:22 p.m. EDT
|
3:32 p.m. EDT
|
3:33 p.m. EDT
|
3:34 p.m. EDT
|
4:40 p.m. EDT
|
Even though the sky will darken and the sun will be mostly blocked, it’s important to use approved eclipse glasses to view the experience, aside from the brief moments of totality. We’ve read of people scarring their eyes by not taking proper precautions.
These natural events only come around once in a while, so take advantage of them while you can!