Do you remember the last “Great American Solar Eclipse” in 2017? Maybe you witnessed the phenomenon with your own eyes or maybe you just heard about it on the news. Well, if you are hoping to catch another solar eclipse, you are in luck. Mark your calendar for the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse over North America. If you want to see it firsthand, you should start planning your trip now as hotels are already booking up for this bucket list phenomena.
What is a Solar Eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passed between the sun and the Earth and blocks the sun. A total eclipse can only be seen in the path of totality where the moon completely blocks the sun, revealing the sun’s corona or white outer atmosphere. The eclipse can still be observed outside the path of totality, but it will only be a partial eclipse.
What is the Path of Totality?
The path of totality is where you want to be during the eclipse. In this narrow path, the moon will block out the sun 100%. You will be able to take off your viewing glasses and see the sun’s corona with the naked eye. Everywhere else along the path you have to leave your viewing glasses on during the entire eclipse. There is a significant difference between 99% and 100% totality, so don’t just get close, get into the path of totality.
Where Can I See the 2024 Solar Eclipse?
The April 2024 solar eclipse will pass through Mexico, the United States, and Canada in a diagonal path across the continent. Some of the cities in the path of totality include Mazatlan, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Little Rock, Indianapolis, Evansville, Cleveland, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Rochester, Burlington, and Montreal.
To help plan your trip, check out this website with a detailed map of the path of totality. Choose any city big or small within the path. Remember, the experience of a 100% eclipse is different than 99% so aim for the path of totality. This website will also give you the exact local time of the eclipse and the duration of totality which varies by location. Another consideration is that proximity to a major highway that will give you the option to move along the path of totality if the weather isn’t cooperating.
Once you choose a city within the path of totality, search for an eclipse viewing spot. You want an open area with unobstructed views of the sky. Many cities will have viewing events that may require advance tickets.
What is it Like to Experience a Solar Eclipse?
Experiencing a solar eclipse is a memorable experience. I happened to be in Portland, OR during the weekend of the 2017 eclipse. This city was near, but not in the path of totality, so I drove to McMinnville to ensure I would see a complete eclipse. There were numerous viewing events set up so I bought tickets to an event at an Aviation and Space Museum. They had a large field with unobstructed views, food vendors, and a DJ playing music. The fun atmosphere enhanced the experience and I am sure there will be many similar events all over the country in 2024.
I laid down, put on my viewing glasses, and looked up at the sun. The eclipse takes a while and you can watch the sun slowly get smaller and smaller as the moon moves in front. If you are in a place with 100% totality, you will eventually be able to remove your viewing glasses and see the sun’s corona with the naked eye.
The eclipse experience is not just visual. When the moon completely blocks the sun, the temperature noticeably drops. It gets eerily quiet – birds and other animals go silent. You can easily put yourself in the shoes of ancient man and imagine how this would have appeared to be an apocalyptic event.
Totality only lasts a few minutes. As soon as it’s over, even with just 1% of sun visible, you will need to put your viewing glasses back on. The temperature will rise and animal noises will resume. Instead of staying to watch the sun get bigger as the moon moved away, I tried hitting the road immediately to get ahead of traffic. That was a mistake. Tons of people had the same idea and cars poured into country roads not designed for heavy traffic.
News articles later showed traffic was heavy throughout the country in places with 100% totality. In my case, we are talking 4+ hours to travel a route that would normally take 45 minutes. I would highly recommend delaying your departure and maybe even staying overnight to miss the worst traffic.
How Can I View the Eclipse Safely?
You will need special eye protection to safely view the solar eclipse. The only time you can take off your glasses is during totality. You cannot wear sunglasses or regular eyewear without risking severely damaging your eyes. You will need to purchase ISO 12312-2 compliant eye protection such as those listed here.
If you want to view the solar eclipse through a camera, telescope, or binoculars you will need a solar filter. You cannot use solar eclipse glasses with this equipment.
I highly recommend you purchase the solar glasses and lenses you need in advance. During the 2017 eclipse, I saw a roadside stand selling glasses the day of the eclipse for $50 each. Don’t get price gouged – purchase in advance!
What Challenges Can be Expected with the 2024 Solar Eclipse?
You will only be able to see the eclipse if weather cooperates. Unfortunately, April tends to be a cloudy month throughout North America. It is possible you could travel to a destination and miss out on the visual experience due to poor weather. You should still be able to feel the effects of the solar eclipse in the path of totality even if clouds ruin your view.
When is the next Solar Eclipse?
If you miss the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse, then you will have to wait 20 years until August 23, 2044 for the next to be visible in the continental United States. For a complete list of upcoming solar eclipses visible in other locations, go here.
Tell me what your 2024 solar eclipse travel plans are in the comments. I am planning to travel to Cleveland and attend a viewing event. I’m taking a risk with the weather since the Midwest is usually cloudy most of April, but Cleveland is close enough for me to drive which won me over.