On Monday, more than 31 million people will experience a total solar eclipse, a celestial phenomenon in which the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, leading to moments of complete darkness for those in the eclipse’s path of totality.
The total solar eclipse began its journey through its path of totality, starting at 2:27 pm in Eagle Pass, Texas and in Del Rio, Texas at 2:28 pm. Full visibility was then achieved in San Antonio at 2:34 p.m. and in Fort Worth and Dallas at 2:40 p.m. In the Northeast, peak viewing hours are from approximately 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EST and conclude around at 4.30pm
Here’s a live feed from NASA:
Here’s what to expect during Monday’s planetary event:
What time is the 2024 solar eclipse?
Monday’s total solar eclipse will begin at 11:07 a.m. PDT in Mexico (that’s 2:07 p.m. EST) and then cross Texas at 1:27 p.m. CDT (2:27 p.m. EST) before ending in the continental United States in Maine at approximately 3:35 pm EST before entering Canada. The eclipse will leave North America at 5:16 pm NDT (3:46 pm EST) through New Foundland, Canada.
The eclipse will peak at different times depending on where you are in the United States
NASA has created an interactive map where you can see what time the peak of the eclipse is expected in your area and how much darkness there will be, depending on the weather.
Where can I see the total solar eclipse?
The path of totality is about 115 miles wide and extends from west to east, crossing 13 states.
US cities where the eclipse is expected to peak and reach complete darkness are Dallas, Texas: Idabel, Oklahoma: Little Rock, Arkansas: Poplar Bluff, Missouri: Paducah, Kentucky: Carbondale, Illinois: Evansville, Indiana: Cleveland, Ohio: Erie, Pennsylvania: Buffalo, New York: Burlington, Vermont: Lancaster, New Hampshire, and Caribou, Maine.
A partial solar eclipse is expected to be visible in 49 US states (weather permitting), although the total solar eclipse will have a total path that will only be visible in 10 US states and parts of Mexico and the Canada.
How can I see the solar eclipse?
Due to the dangerous nature of the eclipse, you should avoid looking directly at the sky during the eclipse – even regular sunglasses won’t cut it.
Instead, viewers should use ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses to view the sky during partial portions of the eclipse. It is considered safe to look at the sky unprotected only during the brief moments of total eclipse when the moon covers the sun.
Failure to wear adequate eye protection may result in blindness or partial vision impairment.
According to the Planetary Society, solar eclipse glasses use special lenses made of carbon-infused black polymer, which are about 100,000 times darker than regular sunglasses, blocking almost all visible light, including infrared and ultraviolet light.
To ensure your glasses are legitimate, consider purchasing them only from a supplier approved by the American Astronomical Society (AAS), which tests, approves, and certifies hundreds of suppliers to ensure quality.
When will the next solar eclipse occur after Monday 8 April?
The next visible total solar eclipse will take place on August 23, 2044. This eclipse is expected to be visible only in three US states (Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota) and will be visible mostly in Canada.