April 8, 2024 Total Solar eclipse
The upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8th, 2024 will be the last Total Solar Eclipse in the United States for 20 years with the next on August 23, 2044. This rare event is set to captivate observers from Texas to Maine and viewers along the eclipse's path can expect a unique spectacle featuring phenomena such as Baily's beads and the diamond ring effect just before and after totality.
Map of totality
This map delineates the trajectory of the total solar eclipse on April 8th, 2024, emphasizing the path of totality. It's crucial to understand that this visual representation focuses exclusively on regions that will witness the complete obscuration of the Sun by the Moon. Surrounding areas, not directly under this path, will be treated to a significant yet partial solar eclipse. The degree of the Sun's coverage by the Moon diminishes progressively as one moves further from the totality path. The closer one's location is to this path, the more complete the solar coverage will be, offering a more profound eclipse experience. For precise locations and to maximize the viewing experience, consulting a detailed eclipse map is strongly recommended, ensuring observers can plan to be as close to the path of totality as possible.
What states and cities will see April's Total Eclipse
The total solar eclipse on April 8th, 2024, will traverse 13 states and several large cities, from Texas to Maine, with parts of these states experiencing the full spectacle of totality. To ascertain whether your specific location falls within the path of totality and to find precise viewing times, it is advisable to consult a detailed list of cities. Also take note that a large area on both sides of the path of totality will see a partial eclispe. The closer to the path, the more the sun will be covered by the moon.
| State | City | Totality Starts | Duration of Totality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | San Antonio | 1:33:01 PM (CDT) | 2m 3s |
| Texas | Dallas | 1:40:43 PM (CDT) | 3m 51s |
| Oklahoma | Boswell | 1:45:03 PM CDT | 4m 17s |
| Oklahoma | Broken Arrow | 1:45:44 PM CDT | 3m 51s |
| Arkansas | Little Rock | 1:51:41 PM CDT | 2m 20s |
| Arkansas | Jonesboro | 1:55:37 PM CDT | 2m 21s |
| Missouri | Sikeston | 1:58:03 PM CDT | 3m 31s | Missouri | Cape Girardeau | 1:58:22 PM CDT | 4m 06s |
| Illinois | Carbondale | 1:59:16 PM CDT | 4m 8s |
| Illinois | Harrisburg | 2:00:27 PM CDT | 3m 53s |
| Kentucky | Paducah | 2:00:50 PM CDT | 1m 31s |
| Kentucky | Henderson | 2:02:43 PM CDT | 2m 30s |
| Indiana | Evansville | 2:02:37 PM CDT | 3m 03s |
| Indiana | Indianapolis | 3:06:04 PM EDT | 3m 49s |
| Ohio | Toledo | 3:12:17 PM EDT | 1m 53s |
| Ohio | Cleveland | 3:13:46 PM EDT | 3m 49s |
| Pennsylvania | North Springfield | 3:15:50 PM EDT | 3m 43s |
| Pennsylvania | Edinboro | 3:16:22 PM EDT | 3m 19s |
| New York | Niagara Falls | 3:18:19 PM EDT | 3m 31s |
| New York | Buffalo | 3:18:21 PM EDT | 3m 45s |
| Vermont | Burlington | 3:26:08 PM EDT | 3m 15s |
| Vermont | Stowe | 3:26:57 PM EDT | 2m 48s |
| New Hampshire | Stewartstown | 3:28:10 PM EDT | 3m 14s |
| New Hampshire | Lancaster | 3:29:17 PM EDT | 0m 43s |
| Maine | West Forks | 3:29:55 PM EDT | 3m 06s |
| Maine | Danforth | 3:32:37 PM EDT | 2m 13s |
Solar eclipses are often accompanied by lunar eclipses, occurring in close sequence. This celestial pairing arises from the mechanics of Earth's orbit around the Sun and the Moon's orbit around Earth. During a solar eclipse, the Moon positions itself directly between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow over the Earth and momentarily obscuring the Sun. Conversely, a lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth aligns between the Sun and the Moon, casting Earth's shadow on the Moon and dimming its appearance from our vantage point. The synchronization of these events is due to the alignment of the Earth, Moon, and Sun within the same ecliptic plane, a necessary condition for both solar and lunar eclipses. This is the case with April's solar eclipse with it's paired lunar eclipse on March 25th.
