National Eclipse

What is an Eclipse?

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun and the Moon blocks the Sun for a viewer on Earth. During a total eclipse, the Moon lines up perfectly to fully obscure the Sun, resulting in "totality"; in a partial eclipse, the Moon and the Sun are not perfectly aligned and only part of the Sun is blocked; and during an annular eclipse, alignment is perfect but the Moon is too far away from the Earth to completely obscure the Sun. The fact that a total solar eclipse is visible from Earth only along a very narrow path for just a few short minutes makes totality one of nature's rarest events.

WHAT IS A LUNAR ECLIPSE? | WHAT IS A TRANSIT?

What to Expect

Most people who have seen a total eclipse have described it as the most spectacular natural event they have ever witnessed. It starts as the Moon slowly obscures more and more of the Sun. As the eclipse deepens, the world around you takes on a strange tint and shadows start looking different. When just a thin crescent of light can be seen through your eclipse glasses, daylight fades and rippling "shadow bands" might be seen on the ground. And then "totality," as the soft wisps of the solar corona emerge around a huge hole where the Sun used to be. You might notice a temperature drop and animals behaving unusually. You're standing in a bizarre twilight, while a "sunset" glows all around you. Finally, totality comes to an end and the events occur in reverse order.

Eclipse Safety

Since looking directly at the Sun can cause permanent eye damage or even blindness, special eclipse safety glasses or viewers must always be used during a solar eclipse (sunglasses are not safe). The small amount of light emitted during even a 99.9 percent partial eclipse is still dangerous. The only time it's safe to look at a total eclipse without proper eye protection is during the brief period of "totality" when the Sun is 100 percent blocked by the Moon. If you're not located in the path of totality, there is never a time when it's safe to look with unprotected eyes. Attempting to view an eclipse using binoculars, telescopes, cameras, or other devices that don't have their own special front-mounted solar filters is extremely hazardous. (See our Safety page for more information.)

Eclipse Weather

One of the most important factors to consider, both when planning an eclipse trip and in the days leading up to an eclipse, is the weather. A few stray clouds at the wrong moment can ruin months and even years of planning! During past eclipses, some long-term weather projections have been accurate while others missed the mark. As many people have discovered, climate is not the same as weather and clouds can appear at any time. The most important thing you can do to prevent clouds and bad weather from spoiling a successful eclipse viewing is to remain mobile and be ready to move quickly to another location if clouds move in. Sometimes it's possible to find clear skies just a short drive away from your original clouded-out location!

U.S. Eclipses

In 2024, the second total solar eclipse in America in only seven years occurred with a path of totality that traveled up through the country from Texas to Maine. The 2017 coast-to-coast U.S.-only eclipse crossed the nation from Oregon to South Carolina. Before that, a total solar eclipse was seen in Hawaii in 1991 and a total solar eclipse traveled through five northwestern states in 1979. Alaska will get a total solar eclipse in 2033 and totality will be seen in Montana and North Dakota in 2044. Another coast-to-coast eclipse will come to America in 2045, entering in California and exiting in Florida. In 2052, a total solar eclipse will skim parts of six southern states. Also occurring in America during the 21st century will be total solar eclipses in 2078, 2079, and 2099.