Millions of Americans will witness the Moon entirely blot out the Sun in 2024, providing one of the most mesmerizing sights a person can witness. The last opportunity for those in the US to see such a sight for over 20 years.
What is a Solar Eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon gets between Earth and the sun, and the moon casts a shadow over Earth. According to NASA, a full solar eclipse occurs every 18 months on average. For any given region, though, a total solar eclipse only happens, on average, once every 375 years. A total eclipse of the sun can only be seen from within what is known as the path of totality, a narrow path the moon’s inner shadow travels as it glides across the Earth.
Solar Eclipses in History
Solar eclipses have historically been viewed as omens that bring about death and destruction. In reality, they are harmless—and they even helped prove Einstein’s theory of relativity. Ancient eclipse records made in China and Babylonia are believed to be over 4,000 years ago. Recent research has demonstrated that solar eclipses had been depicted in the fascinating mythology of ancient Egypt, and produced evidence that the ancient Egyptians observed solar eclipses over 4,500 years ago.
Best Viewing Locations for the 2024 Great North American Eclipse
The path of the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse begins in the United States in Texas and ends in Maine. Many major cities will be in the path of the 2024 total solar eclipse, including Dallas; Little Rock, Arkansas; Indianapolis; Cleveland; Buffalo, and New York.
Check out the list below to find some of the best totality viewing locations.
Radar Base, TX
For eclipse chasers who want the greatest possible amount of totality without leaving the U.S., consider Radar Base, which lies right on the U.S.–Mexico border. Its name, by the way, isn’t that of a military base but instead a small town of several hundred residents. That number will balloon on eclipse day, so be sure to get there early.
Eclipse Starts: 12:10:26 p.m. CDT
Eclipse End: 2:51:30 p.m. CDT
Maximum Eclipse: 1:29:53 p.m. CDT
Sun’s Altitude at Maximum Eclipse: 68.5°
Duration of Totality: 4 minutes 27 seconds
Width of Moon’s Shadow: 120.9 miles (195.5 km)
Kerrville, TX
While San Antonio certainly will be the base of operations for many eclipse chasers, most will not stay there, opting instead to head to the centerline for an additional minute of umbral darkness. Several small towns lie centered in the path, the largest of which is Kerrville, with roughly 24,000 residents. Be sure to check in advance for any eclipse-related activities.
Eclipse Starts: 12:14:43 p.m. CDT
Eclipse End: 2:55:29 p.m. CDT
Maximum Eclipse: 1:34:17 p.m. CDT
Sun’s Altitude at Maximum Eclipse: 67.5°
Duration of Totality: 4 minutes 25 seconds
Width of Moon’s Shadow: 120.2 miles (193.4 km)
Lampasas, TX
Many travelers will choose to base in Austin, the state capital of Texas. It’s a good choice because that city features lots of amenities, especially in the food and music realms. Unfortunately, it lies near the southern limit of the path of totality. So, a good choice on eclipse day would be to drive the 68 miles (109 km) north to Lampasas, which lies quite near the centerline.
Eclipse Starts: 12:18:03 p.m. CDT
Eclipse Ends: 2:58:23 p.m. CDT
Maximum Eclipse: 1:37:35 p.m. CDT
Sun’s Altitude at Maximum Eclipse: 66.5°
Duration of Totality: 4 minutes 24 seconds
Width of Moon’s Shadow: 119.7 miles (192.6 km)
Hillsboro, TX
Although not a huge city, Hillsboro is an easy destination, lying, as it does, on Interstate 35 where I-35E and I-35W split south of Dallas. It also lies right along the centerline of totality, which will help maximize your time under the Moon’s umbra.
Eclipse Starts: 12:21:23 a.m. CDT
Eclipse Ends: 3:01:16 a.m. CDT
Maximum Eclipse: 2:40:53 a.m. CDT
Sun’s Altitude at Maximum Eclipse: 65.5°
Duration of Totality: 4 minutes 23 seconds
Width of Moon’s Shadow: 119.2 miles (191.8 km)
Sulphur Springs, TX
Another great location in the Lone Star State is Sulphur Springs. It lies along Interstate 30, so getting there won’t be a problem. Although the city isn’t huge (less than 20,000 residents), there are many open areas. One is Coleman Lake and Park, which offers 186 acres with trails and waterfalls. Cooper Lake State Park lies 15 miles (24 km) north. It has more than 2,500 acres of land and nearly 20,000 acres of lake. Observing from a boat would certainly be relaxing. And you’ll only lose 2 seconds of totality compared to Sulphur Springs.
Eclipse Starts: 12:25:38 p.m. CDT
Eclipse Ends: 3:04:52 p.m. CDT
Maximum Eclipse: 1:45:04 p.m. CDT
Sun’s Altitude at Maximum Eclipse: 64°
Duration of Totality: 4 minutes 21 seconds
Width of Moon’s Shadow: 118.4 miles (190.6 km)
Russellville, AR
With a population near 30,000, Russellville has enough resources to host a moderate influx of visitors for the eclipse. Those eclipse chasers who prefer to observe the event outside the city could head for nearby Mount Nebo, a flat-topped mountain that rises 1,350 feet (410 meters) above the surrounding valley.
Eclipse Starts: 12:33:08 p.m. CDT
Eclipse Ends: 3:10:46 p.m. CDT
Maximum Eclipse: 1:52:10 p.m. CDT
Sun’s Altitude at Maximum Eclipse: 49.0°
Duration of Totality: 4 minutes 11 seconds
Width of Moon’s Shadow: 117.2 miles (188.6 km)
Cape Girardeau, MO
The largest city in southeastern Missouri that will experience totality is Cape Girardeau, with its 80,000 residents. It lies on the bank of the Mississippi River and is easily accessible from Interstate 55. For an additional 4 seconds of totality, eclipseophiles can head 10 miles (16 km) west on State Route 72 to Jackson.
Eclipse Starts: 12:41:51 p.m. CDT
Eclipse Ends: 3:17:26 p.m. CDT
Maximum Eclipse: 2:00:21 p.m. CDT
Sun’s Altitude at Maximum Eclipse: 57.3°
Duration of Totality: 4 minutes 6 seconds
Width of Moon’s Shadow: 115.5 miles (185.9 km)
Ellington, MO
Nestled in the Ozark Highlands of Reynolds County, Ellington is comprised of just about 1,000 friendly folks. A popular tourism and recreation spot during the summer months, Ellington offers shopping, dining and services that make it the perfect small town to experience the 2024 eclipse. Totality here will last for about 4 minutes and 3 seconds.
Eclipse Starts: 12:41:51 p.m. CDT
Eclipse Ends: 3:17:26 p.m. CDT
Maximum Eclipse: 2:00:21 p.m. CDT
Sun’s Altitude at Maximum Eclipse: 57.3°
Duration of Totality: 4 minutes 3 seconds
Width of Moon’s Shadow: 115.5 miles (185.9 km)
Vincennes, IN
This small city of some 16,000 residents lies along U.S. Highway 50 (east-west) and U.S. Highway 150, which becomes U.S. Hwy. 41 (north-south). It’s a quick hop from Interstate 69. More importantly, it sits squarely on the eclipse’s centerline, so it will probably be a popular destination for inhabitants of the region.
Eclipse Starts: 1:46:59 p.m. EDT
Eclipse Ends: 4:20:57 p.m. EDT
Maximum Eclipse: 3:04:55 p.m. EDT
Sun’s Altitude at Maximum Eclipse: 54°
Duration of Totality: 4 minutes, 5 seconds
Width of Moon’s Shadow: 114.5 miles (184.3 km)
Indianapolis, IN
The umbra will cover a wide swath of Indiana, but most of the attention will focus on the state’s capital city. Downtown Indianapolis is a metropolis served by four interstate highways and will surely be one of the most sought-after destinations. It offers plentiful lodging, excellent cuisine, and many attractions for travelers.
Eclipse Starts: 1:50:31 p.m. EDT
Eclipse Ends: 4:23:10 p.m. EDT
Maximum Eclipse: 3:07:56 p.m. EDT
Sun’s Altitude at Maximum Eclipse: 53°
Duration of Totality: 3 minutes 49 seconds
Width of Moon’s Shadow: 114 miles (183.4 km)
Lima, OH
This small city of 36,000 is well-positioned for viewing the eclipse and is just large enough to handle a moderate influx of visitors. For those who want the maximum possible length of totality, you’ll get 6 additional seconds if you drive south on Interstate 75 to Wapakoneta, and an extra second if you continue south to the centerline.
Eclipse Starts: 1:54:51 p.m. EDT
Eclipse Ends: 4:26:01 p.m. EDT
Maximum Eclipse: 3:11:43 p.m. EDT
Sun’s Altitude at Maximum Eclipse: 50.8°
Duration of Totality: 3 minutes 51 seconds
Width of Moon’s Shadow: 113 miles (181.9 km)
Cleveland, OH
With a metro population of more than 2 million, this city will host a multitude of eclipse chasers. Get there a couple of days early, and fill the waiting time with visits to some of Cleveland’s highlights, including the Cleveland Museum of Arts and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Eclipse Starts: 1:59:20 p.m. EDT
Eclipse Ends: 4:28:57 p.m. EDT
Maximum Eclipse: 3:15:37 p.m. EDT
Sun’s Altitude at Maximum Eclipse: 48.6°
Duration of Totality: 3 minutes 49 seconds
Width of Moon’s Shadow: 111.9 miles (180.1 km)
Erie, PA
The only large city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be graced by the Moon’s umbra is Erie, which, with its 100,000 residents, sits on the shore of the Great Lake that bears its name. It’s certain that many eclipse chasers from Pittsburgh, 130 miles to the south via Interstate 79, will visit for the event.
Eclipse Starts: 2:02:23 p.m. EDT
Eclipse Ends: 4:30:48 p.m. EDT
Maximum Eclipse: 3:18:12 p.m. EDT
Sun’s Altitude at Maximum Eclipse: 47°
Duration of Totality: 3 minutes 42 seconds
Width of Moon’s Shadow: 111.2 miles (179 km)
Niagara Falls, NY
If the Northeastern United States has good weather on eclipse day, the most picturesque images of the event might come from Niagara Falls. One of the best perspectives will come from the outlook called Terrapin Point, where the Sun will hang halfway up in the southwest — directly over the Falls! Science buffs who observe or photograph the eclipse from this area surely will want to visit the Nikola Tesla Monument within Queen Victoria Park on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. It lies only 0.3 miles (0.5 km) north of Terrapin Point.
Eclipse Starts: 2:04:50 p.m. EDT
Eclipse Ends: 4:31:57 p.m. EDT
Maximum Eclipse: 3:20:02 p.m. EDT
Sun’s Altitude at Maximum Eclipse: 45.6°
Duration of Totality: 3 minutes 31 seconds
Width of Moon’s Shadow: 110.8 miles (178.4 km)
Buffalo, NY
The largest city in New York that will experience the Moon’s umbra is Buffalo, with its metropolitan population of 1.1 million. The centerline passes right through downtown, so expect all activity to come to a screeching halt in mid-afternoon. Travelers desiring information about the eclipse might want to check with the staff of Zygmunt Planetarium, which is part of the Buffalo Museum of Science.
Eclipse Starts: 2:04:54 p.m. EDT
Eclipse Ends: 4:32:07 p.m. EDT
Maximum Eclipse: 3:20:11 p.m. EDT
Sun’s Altitude at Maximum Eclipse: 45.6°
Duration of Totality: 3 minutes 45 seconds
Width of Moon’s Shadow: 110.7 miles (178.2 km)
Plattsburgh, NY
This small city of roughly 20,000 residents makes this list primarily because it’s a one-hour drive from Montréal, Canada’s second-most populous city. Montréal itself will enjoy nearly 2 minutes of totality, but all serious eclipse chasers will head south to the centerline for that additional 90 seconds. Good choice.
Eclipse Starts: 2:14:02 p.m. EDT
Eclipse Ends: 4:37:04 p.m. EDT
Maximum Eclipse: 3:27:29 p.m. EDT
Sun’s Altitude at Maximum Eclipse: 40.4°
Duration of Totality: 3 minutes 33 seconds
Width of Moon’s Shadow: 108.4 miles (174.5 km)
Mars Hill, MA
To be honest, Mars Hill is a small town of some 1,500 residents. But just think of it: an amateur astronomer watching the Moon cover the Sun from a place named Mars Hill? Terrific. This location also is one of the last spots in the U.S. to see totality. But if you’re one of those serious types, just drive 20 miles (32 km) south for an additional 10 seconds of totality.
Eclipse Starts: 2:22:20 p.m. EDT
Eclipse Ends: 4:40:52 p.m. EDT
Maximum Eclipse: 3:33:41 p.m. EDT
Sun’s Altitude at Maximum Eclipse: 35.2°
Duration of Totality: 3 minutes 12 seconds
Width of Moon’s Shadow: 106.2 miles (171 km)