2024 Eclipse Path: A Guide to the Best Places to Witness

The first eclipse of 2024 will be a penumbral lunar eclipse on March 25. It will be visible from Asia, Australia, the Pacific, and the western Americas.

A penumbral lunar eclipse happens when the moon passes through the faint outer part of Earth’s shadow, causing a slight dimming of the moon’s brightness.

The second eclipse of 2024 will be a total solar eclipse on April 8. It will be visible from Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

A total solar eclipse happens when the moon completely covers the sun’s disk, creating a dark silhouette of the moon surrounded by a bright ring of the sun’s atmosphere, called the corona.

This is the most dramatic and rare type of solar eclipse, and it can only be seen along a narrow path of totality on Earth’s surface.

The third eclipse of 2024 will be a partial lunar eclipse on September 18. It will be visible from Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the eastern Americas.

A partial lunar eclipse happens when the moon passes through part of Earth’s dark inner shadow, called the umbra, causing a noticeable darkening of a portion of the moon’s surface.

The fourth eclipse of 2024 will be an annular solar eclipse on October 2. It will be visible from South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia.

An annular solar eclipse happens when the moon is too far from Earth to completely cover the sun’s disk, leaving a thin ring of the sun visible around the moon. This is also known as a “ring of fire” eclipse.

The fifth and final eclipse of 2024 will be a near-total lunar eclipse on October 17.

It will be visible from North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and western Asia. A near-total lunar eclipse happens when the moon passes very close to the center of Earth’s umbra, causing almost the entire moon to turn dark red or orange.

How to Watch the Total Solar Eclipse of 2024

Are you ready for the next total solar eclipse? If you live in North America, you might have a chance to witness this spectacular phenomenon on April 8, 2024.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon completely blocks the Sun, creating a shadow on Earth. This is a rare and awe-inspiring event that you don't want to miss!

The last total solar eclipse visible in the United States was on August 21, 2017, and it was dubbed the "Great American Eclipse".

Millions of people across the country gathered to watch the sky turn dark in the middle of the day. Some even traveled to the path of totality, where the eclipse was most visible.

The next total solar eclipse, also known as the "Great North American Eclipse", will be even more impressive. It will cross from Mexico, through the United States from Texas to Maine, and up through Canada.

The path of totality will be longer and wider than the previous one, giving more people the opportunity to see it. Some of the major cities that will experience totality are Dallas, Little Rock, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo, and Montreal.

The eclipse will begin over the South Pacific Ocean at around 11:07 a.m. PDT. It will reach the coast of Mexico at 11:17 a.m.

PDT, and enter the United States in Texas at 11:38 a.m. CDT. It will travel across the country from southwest to northeast, reaching the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. NDT.

The total duration of the eclipse will be about six hours, but the totality will last only a few minutes at each location.

To see the eclipse, you will need to wear special glasses or use a pinhole projector. Looking directly at the Sun without protection can damage your eyes.

You can also watch the eclipse online through live streams or videos. You can find more information about the eclipse, such as the exact times, maps, and safety tips, on websites like timeanddate.com or NASA Science.

A total solar eclipse is a once in a lifetime experience that you don't want to miss. Mark your calendars for April 8, 2024, and get ready to witness the beauty and wonder of nature!

What You Need to Know About the Lunar Eclipses of 2024

The year 2024 will have three lunar eclipses, each with different characteristics and visibility. Here is a brief overview of what to expect from each one:

March 25, 2024 - Penumbral Lunar Eclipse: This will be a very subtle eclipse, as the Moon will only pass through the faint outer part of Earth’s shadow, called the penumbra.

The Moon will not change color or darken much, but it may appear slightly dimmer than usual. This eclipse will be visible from most of North and South America, Europe, Africa, and western Asia1.

September 17-18, 2024 - Partial Lunar Eclipse: This will be a more noticeable eclipse, as the Moon will partially enter the dark inner part of Earth’s shadow, called the umbra.

The part of the Moon that is in the umbra will turn reddish, while the rest will remain bright. This eclipse will be visible from most of Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and eastern South America.

October 17, 2024 - Almost Lunar Eclipse: This will be a very rare and special event, as the Moon will barely graze the edge of Earth’s umbra.

The Moon will not turn red, but it may show a slight dent or notch on its lower left side. This eclipse will be visible from eastern North America, Greenland, Iceland, northern Europe, and northern Asia3.