Emily
Today, a total solar eclipse traverses North America, casting parts of 15 U.S. states into the path of totality. Detailed maps illustrate where and when enthusiasts of astronomy can witness this remarkable event, as the skies dim in the middle of Monday, April 8.
The total eclipse will debut along Mexico’s Pacific Coast at approximately 11:07 a.m. PDT, before journeying across a swath of the U.S. from Texas to Maine, extending into Canada.
According to NASA, approximately 31.6 million people reside within the path of totality, where the moon will entirely obscure the sun. This path will vary between 108 and 122 miles wide. Moreover, an additional 150 million individuals live within 200 miles of the path of totality.
Solar eclipse path of totality map for 2024
Duration of 2024 total solar eclipse
The solar eclipse occurring on April 8 stretches from Texas to Maine. Depending on your position along the depicted path, you may witness daylight transitioning into dusk for approximately four minutes and 28 seconds.
United States map displaying the path of the 2024 solar eclipse and indicating specific regions with varying durations of the eclipse. © OpenStreetMap contributors Map: Taylor Johnston / CBS News Source: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio
Commencing over the Pacific Ocean, the total solar eclipse will commence at Mexico’s Pacific Coast, approximately at 11:07 a.m. PDT on April 8, as noted by NASA. Progressing through Texas, the eclipse will traverse more than a dozen states before reaching Canada, terminating in southern Ontario. Departing continental North America around 5:16 p.m. NDT from Newfoundland, Canada.
The path of totality encompasses sections of the following states:
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- Arkansas
- Missouri
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Indiana
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- New York
- Vermont
- New Hampshire
- Maine
Additionally, small parts of Tennessee and Michigan will also witness the total solar eclipse.
Numerous major cities across the U.S. fall within the eclipse’s path of totality, while others will experience a partial eclipse.
Here are some major cities ideal for eclipse viewing, provided favorable weather conditions prevail:
- San Antonio, Texas (partially under the path)
- Austin, Texas
- Waco, Texas
- Dallas, Texas
- Little Rock, Arkansas
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Dayton, Ohio
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Buffalo, New York
- Rochester, New York
- Syracuse, New York
- Burlington, Vermont
Map of when the solar eclipse will reach totality across the path
The eclipse’s onset in the U.S. will commence as a partial eclipse at 12:06 p.m. CDT close to Eagle Pass, Texas. It will then advance into totality by approximately 1:27 p.m. CDT, followed by its gradual northeastward trajectory over the ensuing hours.
NASA shared times for several cities in the path of totality across the U.S. You can also check your ZIP code on NASA’s map to see when the eclipse will reach you if you’re on, or near, the path of totality — or if you’ll see a partial eclipse instead.
How much of the eclipse will you see if you live outside of the totality path?
While the April 8 eclipse will cover a wide swath of the U.S., outside the path of totality observers may spot a partial eclipse, where the moon covers some, but not all, of the sun, according to NASA. The closer you are to the path of totality, the larger the portion of the sun that will be hidden.
Could there be cloud cover be during the solar eclipse?
Some areas along the path of totality have a higher likelihood of cloud cover that could interfere with viewing the eclipse. Here is a map showing the historical trends in cloud cover this time of year.