April 8 total solar eclipse
Millions of people in North America will be able to witness a total solar eclipse on April 8. All the information you require to see the solar eclipse in 2024—where, when, and how—is provided here.
A total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, will cause unexpected darkness in certain areas of fifteen U.S. states as the moon’s massive shadow moves across the nation.
Over several hours, a total solar eclipse will cross from Mexico to Canada in the northeast, visible to an estimated 44 million people who live in the path of totality, which is the path of the moon’s shadow and the only location where the eclipse’s total phase will be seen. A partial eclipse, on the other hand, will be visible over almost the whole United States.
This is all the information you need to safely witness the amazing celestial spectacle on April 8 and all you need to know about solar eclipses.
A total solar eclipse: what is it?
When the moon passes directly between Earth and the sun, a total solar eclipse happens. From Earth’s vantage point, the moon seems to cast a huge shadow across the face of the sun.
Every month during its new moon phase, the moon passes between Earth and the sun; however, a specific set of circumstances must come together for this to happen to produce a solar eclipse.
Where to view the total solar eclipse on April 8
Only the 115-mile-wide (185-kilometer) and 10,000-mile-long (16,000-kilometer) path of totality will be able to see the eclipse. Starting in Sinaloa, Mexico, the route travels through fifteen states in the United States, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland in Canada, and finally ends in the United States.
Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine are the states in the United States where totality is expected to be seen; however, just the moon’s shadow will be visible in Tennessee and Michigan.
The eclipse’s total phase can only be seen in these states, and even then, you must be in the path of totality to observe the eclipse in its entirety. Totality will be seen for a maximum of 4 minutes, 27 seconds in Torreón, Mexico, the closer you can get to the center of the path of totality and the farther southwest you are. Visit the webpage for the Great American Eclipse for additional details regarding the duration and timing of totality in different cities.
Where can I see the partial eclipse?
Throughout the entire continental United States, there will be partial eclipse visibility to some degree. The visibility will vary from a 99% partial eclipse in regions immediately outside the path of totality to a 15% partial eclipse in areas well to the northwest of the path. Here’s what to anticipate seeing where you are.
How to see the eclipse safely
You MUST always wear protective eyewear, such as solar eclipse glasses with ISO certification, in order to see the partial stages of the eclipse. Whether you are in the road of totality or not, this is true.
To be clear, you could risk lasting eye injury if you look directly at the partial eclipse on April 8 without protective eyewear, no matter where you are.
According to NASA, the few minutes of totality, when the moon fully blocks out the sun, are the ONLY time it is safe to see the eclipse with the unaided eye. To witness this moment, only those who are in the path of totality will be able to take off their sun glasses.
Alternative secure methods to watch
What time does the eclipse start?
According to Time and Date, the eclipse touches down in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, at 9:51 a.m. local time (12:51 p.m. EDT). At 5:16 p.m. local time (3:46 p.m. EDT), the moon’s shadow will have traveled across the continent for a few hours before emerging into the sea close to the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
In the thirteen states where totality will be widely visible, this is when it will happen.
| City | Totality begins | Totality ends |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas, Texas | 1:40 p.m. CDT | 1:40 p.m. CDT |
| Idabel, Oklahoma | 1:45 p.m. CDT | 1:49 p.m. CDT |
| Little Rock, Arkansas | 1:51 p.m. CDT | 1:54 p.m. CDT |
| Poplar Bluff, Missouri | 1:56 p.m. CDT | 2:00 p.m. CDT |
| Paducah, Kentucky | 2:00 p.m. CDT | 2:02 p.m. CDT |
| Carbondale, Illinois | 1:59 p.m. CDT | 2:03 p.m. CDT |
| Evansville, Indiana | 2:02 p.m. CDT | 2:05 p.m. CDT |
| Cleveland, Ohio | 3:13 p.m. EDT | 3:17 p.m. EDT |
| Erie, Pennsylvania | 3:16 p.m EDT | 3:20 p.m EDT |
| Buffalo, New York | 3:18 p.m. EDT | 3:22 p.m EDT |
| Burlington, Vermont | 3:26 p.m EDT | 3:29 p.m EDT |
| Lancaster, New Hampshire | 3:27 p.m EDT | 3:30 p.m. EDT |
| Caribou, Maine | 3:32 p.m. EDT | 3:34 p.m. EDT |
What transpires in the event of totality?
A parade of odd events may accompany totality, depending on how clean the skies are.
The temperature will decrease significantly when the moon’s shadow gets closer, typically by 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 to 5.6 degrees Celsius). Low-level clouds may dissipate when the ground cools.
Shadow bands are wavy lines that may form on the sides of cars and buildings about 30 seconds before totality. Bailey’s beads, which are brilliant spots that represent the final rays of sunlight to reach the moon’s mountains, may appear around the moon’s edge only moments before totality if you look up and use your eclipse glasses.
What is the frequency of total solar eclipses?
Total sun eclipses occur somewhere on Earth around every 18 months, thus they are not uncommon. It is uncommon for a total solar eclipse to span North America, and much more uncommon for one to be visible from a populous location.
On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse occurred in the United States that moved westward across 14 states, spanning from Oregon to South Carolina. An average complete solar eclipse takes place in the same location on Earth once every 366 years.
When will North America see its next solar eclipse?
On March 30, 2033, there will be another total solar eclipse that can be seen in North America; however, only portions of Alaska will experience totality.
On August 22, 2044, there will be a total solar eclipse that can be seen in portions of North Dakota and Montana. Less than a year from now, on August 12, 2045, viewers in northern California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida will be able to witness another total eclipse. When will North America see its next solar eclipse?
