Astra’s Eclipse Guide

Total Solar Eclipse of April 08, 2024

The U.S.A. gets Totally Eclipsed Again

On April 8, 2024, the path of a total solar eclipse (Saros 139) emerges from the Pacific Ocean and enters Mexico near Mazatlan. It reaches greatest eclipse at Nazas, Mexico where it lasts for 4m 28s. It crosses into the State of Texas near Piedras Negras. It passes through Texas, just south of Dallas where folks will enjoy totality. The path crosses the lower eastern corner of Oklahoma, and passes through Arkansas somewhat north of Little Rock. It crosses the lower eastern corner of Missouri, entering Illinois near Carbondale, moving across the southern extreme of the state. Now the path crosses the middle of Indiana, where it will encounter Indianapolis lasting for 3m 50s. Entering Ohio north of Dayton, the centerline passes just north of Cleveland, and enters Lake Erie. Then it hits the ground again, skimming across the northern extremes of the state of New York with Buffalo sitting right on the centerline. The path crosses Lake Ontario, returning to upper state New York where it crosses Lake Champlain. It moves into Vermont and goes into Canada skipping over New Hampshire, though some totality can be had in the northern extreme. The central path will go through Maine in the U.S. and Brunswick in Canada. The eclipse path will plunge back into the ocean with 3m 15s of totality south of Pointe-Sapin-Centre. The centerline will then again find land at Newfoundland, plunging into the north Atlantic and stop below Iceland, unable to make it to Europe.

This eclipse will go right over my hometown where it will last for 3m 50s. I'm not sure if I'm going to be there because on April 8th, the weather is likely to be lousy. Unfortunately, all over the United States of America where the eclipse path will be marching is very likely to be hosting cloudy skies. There are major low pressure zones acting up, the Alberta Clipper, it's thunderstorm season, and tornadoes have left definite footprints on the terrain in the U.S. in this early Spring season. The situation in Mexico is perhaps slightly better, but the terrain is mountainous. I think this is the time to consider taking a vacation in Mazatlan next April.

Still, anyone along the eclipse path will experience the total darkness. A miracle may happen and a clear day open the skies for some along the path. The description above includes the major cities that are on the actual centerline so if you live close to any of those I mentioned, you will be in for some totality!

The 2024 Total Solar Eclipse interactive Google map depicted below was created and is maintained by Xavier Jubier. Xavier has many eclipse pages out there, he provides free resources and does not include advertisers. If you like his work, consider giving him a donation. You will find more information on Mr. Jubier below.

The web address for the interactive Google map is given below. It is fully functional and information at various locations can be gathered by zooming in on the map at your location. Why stop at the 2024 eclipse, why not try others? You can look up your home town or any other location you may be thinking of going when you are chasing an eclipse.

April 2024 Eclipse Diagrams

Mr. Eclipse provides information for every eclipse, that may be found on his website, EclipseWise.com. Eclipse diagrams can be very helpful. They can be printed out. Astra only has a single image here, because Mr. Eclipse allows his images to be used without charge as long as he is properly credited. As always, his website is one of the best places on the internet to find the numbers you need to plan eclipse chasing. You can also download a more detailed copy by following this link at EclipseWise website