A total solar eclipse will grace North America on April 8, 2024, with parts of 15 U.S. states falling within the path of totality. Maps have been released to show where and when astronomy enthusiasts can witness this celestial spectacle.

The total eclipse will make its debut along Mexico’s Pacific Coast at approximately 11:07 a.m. PDT, then journey across a swath of the U.S., spanning from Texas to Maine and into Canada.

According to NASA, about 31.6 million individuals reside in the path of totality, where the moon will completely block out the sun. The path will vary between 108 and 122 miles in width, with an additional 150 million people living within 200 miles of the path of totality.

Solar Eclipse Path of Totality Map for 2024

The total solar eclipse will kick off over the Pacific Ocean, with the first location in continental North America to experience totality being Mexico’s Pacific Coast around 11:07 a.m. PDT on April 8. The path will then traverse through Texas, crossing more than a dozen states before entering Canada in southern Ontario. The eclipse will bid farewell to continental North America around 5:16 p.m. NDT from Newfoundland, Canada.

The path of totality includes the following states:

Several major cities across the U.S. are included in the eclipse’s path of totality, while many others will witness a partial eclipse. Some of the major cities suitable for eclipse viewing, contingent upon good weather, are San Antonio, Texas, Austin, Texas, Waco, Texas, Dallas, Texas, Little Rock, Arkansas, Indianapolis, Indiana, Dayton, Ohio, Cleveland, Ohio, Buffalo, New York, Rochester, New York, Syracuse, New York, and Burlington, Vermont.

Map of When the Solar Eclipse Will Reach Totality Across the Path

The U.S. will witness the eclipse’s onset on the afternoon of April 8. NASA has provided the times for various cities along the path of totality across the country. You can also check your ZIP code on NASA’s map to ascertain when the eclipse will reach you if you are on or near the path of totality.

How Much of the Eclipse Will You See If You Live Outside of the Totality Path?

While a broad swath of the U.S. will experience the April 8 eclipse, many will unfortunately miss out. Individuals outside the path of totality may catch a glimpse of a partial eclipse, where the moon covers most, but not all, of the sun, as per NASA.

NASA offers viewers the opportunity to input a ZIP code and determine how much of the sun will be obscured in their location.

Where Will the Solar Eclipse Reach Totality for the Longest?

Viewers near Torreón, Mexico, will savour the longest totality period. Totality in this region will endure for 4 minutes and 28 seconds, as stated by NASA.

Most locations along the centerline of the path of totality will relish a duration of totality between 3.5 and 4 minutes. Some U.S. areas come exceptionally close to the maximum time; Kerrville, Texas, will observe a totality duration of 4 minutes and 24 seconds.

What Is the Path of Totality for the 2044 Solar Eclipse?

Following the April 8 eclipse, the subsequent total solar eclipse observable from the contiguous U.S. will occur on August 23, 2044.

Astronomy aficionados in the U.S. will have far fewer chances to witness the 2044 eclipse compared to the impending one on April 8. Although NASA has not yet released maps for the 2044 eclipse, as per The Planetary Society, the path of totality will only graze three states.

The 2024 eclipse will commence in Greenland, traverse over Canada, and conclude as the sun sets in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota, according to the Planetary Society.