Countdown to the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse: Path, Viewing Locations, and Safety Precautions
The highly anticipated solar eclipse of 2024 is just around the corner, captivating people all across the United States who are eager to witness the daytime sky turn dark as the moon passes in front of the sun on April 8. However, not everyone will have the opportunity to witness this spectacular event. Only specific regions in 14 states will be in the “path of totality,” where the sun will be completely obscured by the moon, resulting in nearly four minutes of total darkness during daylight hours.
According to NASA, the total solar eclipse will traverse North America on April 8, commencing over the South Pacific Ocean and passing through Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Barring any interference from inclement weather, the first location in continental North America to experience totality will be Mexico’s Pacific coast at approximately 11:07 a.m. PDT. From there, the eclipse’s path will continue through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Additionally, small portions of Tennessee and Michigan will also be treated to the total solar eclipse. Canada will also witness the celestial spectacle, beginning in southern Ontario and extending through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton. The eclipse will conclude its journey across continental North America on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. NDT.
For those planning a road trip or camping adventure to witness the eclipse firsthand, several cities along the path of totality are worth considering. These include Austin, Dallas, and Fort Worth in Texas; Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse in New York; Burlington in Vermont; Carbondale in Illinois; Cleveland, Dayton, and Toledo in Ohio; Erie in Pennsylvania; Indianapolis in Indiana; and Island Falls in Maine.
While New Jersey will not be in the path of totality, residents can still experience a partial eclipse, with approximately 90% of the sun obscured by the moon for over an hour in the late afternoon on April 8, around 3:25 p.m. Eastern time. At its peak coverage, the sun will resemble a thin crescent moon, casting an ethereal glow across the afternoon sky. The eclipse will begin in the Garden State region at 2:09 p.m., reach maximum darkness at 3:24 p.m., and conclude at 4:35 p.m.
Experts emphasize the importance of taking safety precautions when observing the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. To protect their eyes from potential damage, astronomers, including those at NASA, strongly advise the public to wear specialized safety glasses. NASA highlights that it is unsafe to look directly at the sun without proper eye protection, except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse when the moon entirely blocks the sun’s bright face. Viewing any part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a specialized solar filter can result in severe eye injury. Therefore, it is crucial to wear solar viewing glasses or handheld solar viewers at all times when observing the partial phases of the eclipse before and after totality.
Amie Gallagher, planetarium director at Raritan Valley Community College in Somerset County, emphasizes the necessity of wearing solar eclipse glasses during the event. She explains that even if there is the slightest visible portion of the sun, looking directly at it without a filter can cause eye damage. Gallagher recommends using inexpensive cardboard glasses with solar filters, similar to those distributed during the 2017 solar eclipse. These glasses can often be obtained for free at libraries or events or purchased at museums and science centers. However, it is crucial to ensure that the glasses conform to the Transmission Requirements of ISO 12312-2 Filters for Direct Observation of the Sun.
As the countdown to the 2024 total solar eclipse continues, it is essential to plan ahead, secure a safe viewing location within the path of totality, and prioritize eye safety by wearing certified solar eclipse glasses. This celestial event promises to be a remarkable experience for those fortunate enough to witness it, as the sky darkens, and the sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona, becomes visible. So mark your calendars and prepare for an awe-inspiring display of nature’s grandeur on April 8, 2024.