Excited to Witness the Total Solar Eclipse Next Week? Here’s What You Need to Know.

On April 8, 2024, certain areas in the United States will experience a momentary nightfall in the middle of the day as the sun, Earth, and moon align perfectly, resulting in a total solar eclipse.

Cities like Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas in Texas; Little Rock, Arkansas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Cleveland, Ohio; and Buffalo and Rochester in New York will be plunged into darkness for as long as four minutes and 27 seconds. Astro enthusiasts are expected to flock from all over the country—and the globe—to witness this celestial event.

The last eclipse, which took place on October 14, 2023, was an annular partial solar eclipse. Both total solar eclipses and annular partial solar eclipses occur when the moon moves between Earth and the sun, but in an annular partial eclipse, the moon is farther from Earth and does not entirely cover the sun. The upcoming 2024 solar eclipse is generating heightened excitement since it will completely obscure the sun.

If you miss this one, the next total solar eclipse visible in the United States will be in 20 years, on August 23, 2044, when the path of totality will sweep through parts of Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Here’s everything you need to know if you’re gearing up to travel for the 2024 solar eclipse. (If you’ve left planning to the last minute, check out our helpful guide for last-minute total solar eclipse travel.)

What time will the 2024 total solar eclipse occur?

The next solar eclipse that can be viewed from the United States will take place on April 8, 2024. In Dallas, Texas, totality will begin at 1:40 p.m. Central Time; in Caribou, Maine, it will start at 3:32 p.m. Eastern Time, according to NASA, which provides a timetable for eclipse viewing times across the totality path.

Where will the 2024 solar eclipse be observable?

According to NASA, the eclipse path will enter the United States in Texas, near San Antonio, and will follow a northeastern trajectory through the state before passing through parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Communities situated closer to the center of the path, such as Cleveland and Buffalo, will experience the longest duration of totality (approximately four minutes). In contrast, cities on the outskirts, like Austin and Burlington, will have a shorter duration (less than two minutes).

Beyond the United States, the eclipse will be observable in Mexico, beginning on the Pacific Coast near Mazatlan, traversing the central desert regions of Durango and Coahuila, and eventually reaching the Texas border. After crossing Maine, the path of totality will extend into Canada, covering parts of Ontario and Newfoundland.

There are no unfavorable spots within the path of totality for viewing the solar eclipse; however, it’s essential to be in a location with a clear view of the sky. To enhance the experience, travelers might opt for cities like Austin and Little Rock, which are organizing events, often in stadiums or open fields.

For those who truly want to delve into the science behind this celestial phenomenon, consider visiting one of NASA’s three partner cities for the event: Kerrville, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Cleveland, Ohio. In these locations, NASA has arranged group viewing areas, and experts will be present to engage with the public and explain how NASA studies the sun and its effects on Earth and our solar system, as noted in a statement.

For those seeking a more tranquil experience, the summit of a hill or mountain offers a captivating 360-degree view. However, a word of caution: wildlife can respond to the eclipse in unexpected ways, especially nocturnal animals that might become disoriented, so keep this in mind when selecting a location in nature.

Weather forecast for the 2024 solar eclipse

The most unpredictable factor for witnessing the 2024 solar eclipse is the weather. If clouds roll in (which can be quite possible in April), the eclipse may not be visible. Some preliminary forecasts are starting to surface for April 8.

"Clear skies are expected along the path of totality, particularly in northern New England and upstate New York, with increased chances extending from southern Missouri into Central Indiana," as stated by the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center.

The path of totality is likely to experience cloud cover from Texas through southern Arkansas, including areas in the Ohio Valley, like Ohio and northwestern Pennsylvania," according to reports from the Weather Prediction Center.

As per the Weather Channel, regions in southern and central United States within the path of totality may encounter clouds and rain on April 8.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Storm Prediction Center "forecasts a potential for severe storms in north-central Texas, southern Oklahoma, southwest Arkansas, and northwest Louisiana, though this risk is unlikely to arise until after the eclipse concludes," reports the Weather Channel.

Weather forecasting services suggest that the East Coast might enjoy some of the finest weather conditions in the nation during the eclipse.

Forecasts may still change and evolve over the next few days.

What are the differences between the 2024 total solar eclipse and the one that occurred in 2017?

The 2024 total solar eclipse will last longer and be visible to a larger audience than the 2017 eclipse, which was the last total solar eclipse in the United States. In 2017, the moon’s umbra, or direct shadow, was 70 miles wide, while in 2024, it will span 120 miles.

Due to the significantly wider shadow—resulting from the moon being closer to Earth this time—the duration of the eclipse will also be longer, reaching four minutes and 27 seconds at its peak, compared to just two minutes and 41 seconds in 2017.

With a broader path of totality, more individuals reside within its reach: 32 million people compared to 12 million in 2017. This wider path might make it easier for spectators to find a location to witness the astronomical event.

This article was first published online in April 2023 and was updated most recently on April 3, 2024, to reflect the latest information.