Today, solar eclipse maps display the totality path, peak times, and extent of the 2024 eclipse as it can be seen across the United States.

A total solar eclipse is occurring today, traversing North America and passing through portions of 15 U.S. states. Maps are available that indicate the areas and times at which the eclipse will be visible, as the daytime sky darkens on April 8.

The total eclipse will commence along Mexico’s Pacific Coast at approximately 11:07 a.m. PDT and will subsequently traverse a wide expanse of the United States, spanning from Texas to Maine, before entering Canada.

According to NASA, an estimated 31.6 million individuals reside within the path of totality, where the moon will entirely obstruct the sun. The width of the path will vary from 108 to 122 miles, with an additional 150 million individuals inhabiting locations within 200 miles of the path.

The duration of the eclipse will fluctuate depending on one’s position along the path, with certain areas experiencing a transition from daylight to twilight for a period of four minutes and 28 seconds.

The total solar eclipse will commence over the Pacific Ocean, with Mexico’s Pacific Coast serving as the initial location within continental North America to encounter totality around 11:07 a.m. PDT on April 8. Subsequently, the path will continue across Texas, traversing more than a dozen states before arriving in southern Ontario, Canada. The eclipse will conclude in continental North America around 5:16 p.m. NDT in Newfoundland, Canada.

The path of totality encompasses portions of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Small sections of Tennessee and Michigan will also witness the total solar eclipse.

Numerous major cities across the United States fall within the path of totality, while others will only experience a partial eclipse. Among the notable cities for eclipse viewing, provided the weather permits, are San Antonio, Austin, Waco, Dallas, Little Rock, Indianapolis, Dayton, Cleveland, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Burlington.

The eclipse will commence in the United States as a partial eclipse near Eagle Pass, Texas, at 12:06 p.m. CDT and will progress towards totality around 1:27 p.m. CDT. It will then continue its northeastern trajectory along the path over the subsequent hours.

NASA has supplied eclipse timings for various cities located along the path of totality. Additionally, one can determine when the eclipse will reach their location, whether they are situated on or near the path of totality, or if they will merely observe a partial eclipse, by utilizing NASA’s map and entering their ZIP code.

If one resides outside the path of totality, they will only witness a partial eclipse. NASA states that the April 8 eclipse will encompass a significant portion of the United States, and even individuals situated outside the path of totality may experience a partial eclipse in which the moon partially obscures the sun. The degree to which the sun is concealed will increase as one approaches the path of totality.

By entering their ZIP code, individuals can discover the extent to which the sun will be covered at their specific location, courtesy of NASA.Could there be cloud cover during the solar eclipse? In certain areas along the path of totality, there is a higher chance of cloud cover that may affect viewing the eclipse. To see historical trends in cloud cover at this time of year, refer to the provided map. You can also check The Weather Channel for the latest forecast in your area.

The map below shows the main region where cloud cover is expected to have the greatest impact on April 8, primarily along the lakeshore.

Where will the solar eclipse last the longest?

According to NASA, viewers near Torreón, Mexico, will experience the longest period of totality, which will last 4 minutes and 28 seconds. In general, areas along the centerline of the path of totality will experience a duration of totality between 3.5 and 4 minutes. Some places in the U.S., like Kerrville, Texas, will come close to the maximum, with a totality duration of 4 minutes and 24 seconds.

What is the path of totality for the 2044 solar eclipse?

After the April 8 eclipse, the next total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

Astronomy enthusiasts in the U.S. will have far fewer opportunities to see the 2044 eclipse compared to the upcoming one on April 8. Although NASA hasn’t released maps for the 2044 eclipse yet, according to The Planetary Society, the path of totality will only touch three states.

The 2024 eclipse will begin in Greenland, pass over Canada, and end as the sun sets in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota, as reported by The Planetary Society.

Path of the 2044 total solar eclipse

The next total solar eclipse visible from the U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044. The eclipse will start in Greenland, travel through Canada, and end around sunset in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

News Source:CBSNews