Solar eclipse maps show 2024 totality path, peak times and how much of the eclipse people could see across the U.S. (2024)

U.S.

By Aliza Chasan

/ CBS News

A total solar eclipsecrossed North America Monday with parts of 15 U.S. states within the path of totality. Maps showwhere and when astronomy fans could see the big eventas skies darkened in the middle of the day Monday, April 8.

The total eclipse first appeared along Mexico's Pacific Coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT, then traveled across a swath of the U.S., from Texas to Maine, and into Canada.

About 31.6 million people live in the path of totality, the area where the moon fully blocked out the sun, according to NASA. The path ranged between 108 and 122 miles wide. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path of totality.

Solar eclipse path of totality map for 2024

The total solar eclipse started over the Pacific Ocean, and the first location in continental North America that experienced totality was Mexico's Pacific Coast, around 11:07 a.m. PDT, according to NASA. From there, the path continued into Texas, crossing more than a dozen states before the eclipse enters Canada in southern Ontario. The eclipse exited continental North America at around 5:16 p.m. NDT from Newfoundland, Canada.

The path of totality included portions of the following states:

  • Texas
  • Oklahoma
  • Arkansas
  • Missouri
  • Illinois
  • Kentucky
  • Indiana
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • New York
  • Vermont
  • New Hampshire
  • Maine

Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan also experienced the total solar eclipse.

Several major cities across the U.S. were included in the eclipse's path of totality, while many others saw a partial eclipse. These were some of the best major cities for eclipse viewing — though the weather was a factor:

  • 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 reached totality across its path

The eclipse began in the U.S. as a partial eclipse beginning at 12:06 p.m. CDT near Eagle Pass, Texas, before progressing to totality by about 1:27 p.m. CDT and then moving along its path to the northeast over the following few hours.

Solar eclipse maps show 2024 totality path, peak times and how much of the eclipse people could see across the U.S. (1)

NASA shared times for several cities in the path of totality across the U.S. People could have alsochecked their ZIP code on NASA's mapto see when the eclipse was to reach them if they were on, or near, the path of totality — or if they saw a partial eclipse instead.

How much of the eclipse did people see if they live outside the totality path?

While the April 8 eclipse covered a wide swath of the U.S., outside the path of totality observers may have spotted a partial eclipse, where the moon covers some, but not all, of the sun, according to NASA. The closer they were to the path of totality, the larger the portion of the sun that was hidden.

NASA allowed viewers to input a ZIP code and see how much of the sun was to be covered in their locations.

Could there be cloud cover be during the solar eclipse?

Some areas along the path of totality had 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.

You could have checked the latest forecast for your location with our partners at The Weather Channel.

Where did the solar eclipse reach totality for the longest?

Eclipse viewers near Torreón, Mexico, got to experience totality for the longest. Totality there lasted 4 minutes, 28 seconds, according to NASA.

Most places along the centerline of the path of totality saw a totality duration of between 3.5 and 4 minutes, according to NASA. Some places in the U.S. came close to the maximum; Kerrville, Texas, had a totality duration of 4 minutes, 24 seconds.

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

The next total solar eclipse that will be visible from the contiguous U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

Astronomy fans in the U.S. will have far fewer opportunities to see the 2044 eclipse they had on April 8. NASA has not yet made maps available for the 2044 eclipse but, according to The Planetary Society, the path of totality will only touch three states.

The 2024 eclipse will start in Greenland, pass over Canada and end as the sun sets in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota, according to the Planetary Society.

    In:
  • Earth
  • Eclipse
  • Space
  • NASA

Aliza Chasan

Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBSNews.com. She has previously written for outlets including PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition and DNAinfo. Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics.

Solar eclipse maps show 2024 totality path, peak times and how much of the eclipse people could see across the U.S. (2024)

FAQs

What is the peak of the solar eclipse in 2024? ›

The magnitude of this eclipse is 1.0565, which means the Moon's diameter is 5.65 percent larger than the Sun's. Only when the magnitude is 1 or more will there be a total eclipse. Greatest eclipse occurs at 2:17 p.m. EDT and the maximum length of totality anywhere on Earth is 4 minutes 28 seconds.

What is the path of the 2024 solar eclipse worldwide? ›

General path of shadow

The totality of the solar eclipse was visible in a strip beginning in the Pacific Ocean, the edge of which passed approximately 60 kilometers north of Penrhyn atoll, 115 kilometers south of Starbuck Island, 275 kilometers north of Vostok Island, and 370 kilometers north of the Marquesas Islands.

What percent of the eclipse will I see? ›

California. California can expect to see between 34% and 50% of the sun being covered during the solar eclipse. The state is a ways away from the path of totality, so the moon will take a much smaller bite out of the sun on April 8. Still, a partial solar eclipse is no feat to miss.

How long does the peak of the eclipse last? ›

Within the path of totality, darkness will fall for a few minutes. The longest will last more than 4 minutes, but most places will see between 3.5 and 4 minutes of totality. In cities experiencing a partial eclipse, a percentage of the sun will be obscured for more than two hours.

What eclipse happens every 100 years? ›

While solar eclipses occur about two to four times per year, NASA reports a total eclipse only happens once every 100 years or so in any given location on Earth.

What cities are totality in eclipse 2024? ›

The major cities inside the path are Mazatlan, Torreon, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Montreal. The ovals in the map show the shadow of the Moon at five minute intervals. This path is called the path of totality.

Why is the 2024 eclipse so special? ›

Why was the 2024 total solar eclipse so special? The 2024 total solar eclipse was a major event. Totality could last twice as long as in 2017, depending on the observer's location. It was also the longest totality on land for over a decade, so eclipse-chasers from around the world flocked to the path of totality.

How much will we see in the eclipse 2024? ›

Also known as the Great North American Eclipse, the astronomical event is expected to appear as a partial eclipse for other parts of the U.S., including California. According to NationalEclipse.com, San Diego may see 53.9% of the eclipse as it sweeps northward, while Los Angeles may see 48.9% of the eclipse.

How long will the 2024 solar eclipse last? ›

How long will the 2024 eclipse last? The solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, is expected to last about two-and-a-half hours, from the moment the moon begins crossing in front of the sun to when it completely moves out of its way.

Will people in California see the eclipse? ›

Californians will see a partial eclipse of about 50%. If you miss the total eclipse this time, you'll have to wait two decades for your next chance in North America. The path of the total eclipse will start in Texas and end in Maine.

Will Florida see the solar eclipse in 2024? ›

The Sunshine State, true to its name, will not be in the path of totality, but that doesn't mean we won't see anything at all. The sun will be obscured 57% at the maximum eclipse visible in Florida.

Will California see the eclipse in 2024? ›

Total solar eclipse: April 8, 2024

As seen from San Francisco, the partial eclipse is a morning event, beginning at 10:15 am Pacific, with maximum at 11:13 am, when the Moon crosses 34% of the Sun's diameter.

How long will the solar eclipse last on April 8, 2024? ›

In Maine, totality begins around 3:32 pm EDT (Caribou). The eclipse will last for approximately four minutes and 28 seconds, making it one of the longest total solar eclipses of the 21st century. NASA has an interactive map with details about eclipse times and the path of totality.

What states will see a total solar eclipse in 2024? ›

The 15 lucky states that will be visited by the Moon's shadow during the total solar eclipse are Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

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