Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024: Time, Date, Path of the Eclipse

~7 min
Topics:Planets & MoonsSun
Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024
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The total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, is one of the year's most significant astronomical events. Observers from the United States, Mexico, and Canada will have the chance to witness this event. To find detailed eclipse maps and timings for your location, consult the Eclipse Guide app. Now, let’s discuss everything you need to know about the upcoming eclipse.

Contents

What is a total solar eclipse?

A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth and completely blocks the view of the solar disc. During a total eclipse, we can see the Sun’s corona (the outer atmosphere).

Why is the total solar eclipse 2024 special?

Over 600,000,000 watchers

The total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, will be visible over North America (that’s why the event is also known as the Great North American Eclipse). About 652,000,000 people living in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and other countries will be able to see at least a partial eclipse, and 43,800,000 of them will be within the totality path. And that doesn't include tourists!

Big corona

Like the Moon, the Sun has cycles. A solar cycle lasts 11 years, during which time the Sun’s activity (number and size of sunspots, level of solar radiation, solar flares, and coronal loops) varies. The total solar eclipse of 2024 falls during the maximum activity period, so the Sun’s corona (the outermost part of the Sun's atmosphere) during the totality is expected to be huge.

Bright comet and planets in the sky

During the eclipse, observers can see comet 12P/Pons-Brooks at 27º from the Sun. The comet may be bright enough to be visible to the naked eye (its apparent magnitude will be around 4), but the sunlight might obstruct the view. Planets Venus and Jupiter will also be in the sky along with the eclipsed Sun. You can easily spot all these objects with the help of the Sky Tonight stargazing app.

Solar eclipse 2024 path: where to see the solar eclipse 2024

Total Eclipse 2024 over the globe
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The path of the total solar eclipse in 2024 will start in the Pacific Ocean and cross most of North America and a small part of Europe. Check the Eclipse Guide app to get up-to-date interactive solar eclipse maps. The app will also calculate the eclipse timeline for the selected location and show you what the eclipse will look like in the sky.

Where to see the total solar eclipse 2024?

Total Eclipse 2024: Path of Totality
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The total solar eclipse of 2024 will be observable from parts of the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.

  • In Mexico, the totality will be visible over the cities of Mazatlan, Torreon, and Durango. By the way, observers 6 kilometers from the small city of Nazas in the state of Durango will experience the longest totality (4m 28s) among all the locations.
  • In the U.S., the eclipse path will traverse 15 states: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Vermont. The best view will be in the cities of Dallas, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Little Rock, Arkansas; Montpelier, Vermont; Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse, New York; and Cleveland, Dayton, and Lima, Ohio.
  • In Canada, the eclipse will visit the maritime provinces and will be best visible from Montreal, Fredericton, Gander, Miramichi, and Kingston.

The Eclipse Guide app compiles the best locations to observe the eclipse. To view the list, tap the “Map” button at the bottom right corner of the screen, then go to the “Best Places” section.

Where to see the partial solar eclipse 2024?

Total Solar Eclipse 2024: Path Over the World
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Regions located close enough to the totality path will be able to see a partial eclipse: the Moon won’t cover the solar disc completely, but will only “take a bite” out of it. This time, the partial eclipse will be visible over North America, the northern part of South America, and a small part of Europe.

  • In South America, observers from Belize, Guatemala, Cuba, and the Bahamas will see 40% partial eclipse;
  • In Europe, the partial eclipse will be visible over Iceland, Ireland, and western parts of Portugal and the UK. Depending on the exact location, from 20% to 60% of the Sun will be darkened.

When is the total solar eclipse in 2024?

Here is the general timeline of the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. The beginning and end times are given for the first and last locations to experience the eclipse, not for any specific location. Remember to convert GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) to your local time.

  • Partial phase begins at 15:42 GMT;
  • Totality begins at 16:38 GMT;
  • Maximum eclipse is at 18:17 GMT;
  • Totality ends at 19:55 GMT;
  • Partial phase ends at 20:52 GMT.

Eclipse Guide will help you calculate an eclipse timeline for any location. Tap the “Sky” button at the bottom left corner of the screen and go to the “Custom” section. Enter a city name and tap the corresponding result to get an eclipse timeline for the desired location. Note that the timeline is based on the time zone your device is currently in, so mind the time gap.

What time is the eclipse in Arkansas, USA?

Here is the timeline for the city of Little Rock, Arkansas, which lies on the total solar eclipse path:

  • Partial phase begins at 12:33 CDT;
  • Totality begins at 13:51 CDT;
  • Maximum eclipse is at 13:52 CDT;
  • Totality ends at 13:54 CDT;
  • Partial phase ends at 15:11 CDT.

What time is the eclipse in Indiana, USA?

Here is the timeline for the city of Indianapolis, Indiana, which lies on the total solar eclipse path:

  • Partial phase begins at 13:50 EDT;
  • Totality begins at 15:06 EDT;
  • Maximum eclipse is at 15:07 EDT;
  • Totality ends at 15:09 EDT;
  • Partial phase ends at 16:23 EDT.

What time is the eclipse in Maine, USA?

Here is the timeline for the city of Presque Isle, Maine, which lies on the total solar eclipse path:

  • Partial phase begins at 14:22 EDT;
  • Totality begins at 15:32 EDT;
  • Maximum eclipse is at 15:33 EDT;
  • Totality ends at 15:34 EDT;
  • Partial phase ends at 16:40 EDT.

What time is the eclipse in Missouri, USA?

Here is the timeline for the city of Sikeston, Missouri, which lies on the total solar eclipse path:

  • Partial phase begins at 12:41 CDT;
  • Totality begins at 13:58 CDT;
  • Maximum eclipse is at 13:59 CDT;
  • Totality ends at 14:01 CDT;
  • Partial phase ends at 15:17 CDT.

What time is the eclipse in New York, USA?

Here is the timeline for the city of Buffalo, New York, which lies on the total solar eclipse path:

  • Partial phase begins at 14:04 EDT;
  • Totality begins at 15:18 EDT;
  • Maximum eclipse is at 15:20 EDT;
  • Totality ends at 15:22 EDT;
  • Partial phase ends at 16:32 EDT.

What time is the eclipse in Ohio, USA?

Here is the timeline for the city of Cleveland, Ohio, which lies on the total solar eclipse path:

  • Partial phase begins at 13:59 EDT;
  • Totality begins at 15:13 EDT;
  • Maximum eclipse is at 15:15 EDT;
  • Totality ends at 15:17 EDT;
  • Partial phase ends at 16:29 EDT.

What time is the eclipse in Pennsylvania, USA?

Here is the timeline for the city of Erie, Pennsylvania, which lies on the total solar eclipse path:

  • Partial phase begins at 14:02 EDT;
  • Totality begins at 15:16 EDT;
  • Maximum eclipse is at 15:18 EDT;
  • Totality ends at 15:20 EDT;
  • Partial phase ends at 16:30 EDT.

What time is the eclipse in Texas, USA?

Here is the timeline for the city of Dallas, Texas, which lies on the total solar eclipse path:

  • Partial phase begins at 12:23 CDT;
  • Totality begins at 13:40 CDT;
  • Maximum eclipse is at 13:42 CDT;
  • Totality ends at 13:44 CDT;
  • Partial phase ends at 15:02 CDT.

What time is the eclipse in Vermont, USA?

Here is the timeline for the city of Montpelier, Vermont, which lies on the total solar eclipse path:

  • Partial phase begins at 14:14 EDT;
  • Totality begins at 15:27 EDT;
  • Maximum eclipse is at 15:28 EDT;
  • Totality ends at 15:29 EDT;
  • Partial phase ends at 16:37 EDT.

What time is the eclipse in Canada?

Here is the timeline for the city of Montreal, Canada, which lies on the total solar eclipse path:

  • Partial phase begins at 14:14 EDT;
  • Totality begins at 15:26 EDT;
  • Maximum eclipse is at 15:27 EDT;
  • Totality ends at 15:28 EDT;
  • Partial phase ends at 16:36 EDT.

What time is the eclipse in Mexico?

Here is the timeline for the city of Durango, Mexico, which lies on the total solar eclipse path:

  • Partial phase begins at 10:55 CST;
  • Totality begins at 12:12 CST;
  • Maximum eclipse is at 12:14 CST;
  • Totality ends at 12:15 CST;
  • Partial phase ends at 13:36 CST.

Watching the total solar eclipse 2024 safely

The Sun is beautiful but dangerous to observe. Bright sunlight may damage your eyes, so it’s best to follow some basic safety rules:

  • Get proper eclipse glasses: regular sunglasses or custom-made solar filters won’t protect your eyes.
  • Use solar filter while observing the Sun through a telescope or binoculars. Lenses concentrate sunlight into beams that can burn through paper. Imagine what might happen to your eyes.
  • Don't look directly at the Sun. Look away from it while putting on and taking off your eclipse glasses or solar filter. If you don’t have them, use indirect viewing methods: take pinhole projectors or project the image of the Sun onto a white surface.

It’s time to check if you’re ready to see the solar eclipse! Take our quiz to see what you know about eclipses.

Man for eclipses quiz
Can solar eclipses be seen from the Moon? When was a solar eclipse first recorded on video? Test your knowledge of solar and lunar eclipses with this quiz.
Take the quiz!

When is the next eclipse in 2024?

This year, after the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, we expect two more eclipses:

Check Eclipse Guide and our constantly updated infographic listing the 5 upcoming eclipses and stay abreast of the latest eclipse news.

5 Upcoming Eclipses Infographics preview
List of 5 upcoming lunar and solar eclipses, their dates, timelines, and visibility maps. Find out whether you can see them from your location!
See Infographic

Total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024: to sum up

The total solar eclipse will occur on April 8, 2024. The totality path will cross parts of 15 states of the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Nearby regions will have a chance to see a partial eclipse. During the eclipse, the bright comet 12P/Pons-Brooks and the planets Venus and Jupiter will be visible in the sky.

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Topics:Planets & MoonsSun
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