The next total solar eclipse in US may rival 2017's Great American Eclipse
On Aug. 21, 2017, millions gathered from Oregon to South Carolina to witness the first total solar eclipse in the contiguous United States in over 30 years. Fortunately, people across the country don't need to wait nearly as long to see another solar eclipse.
The event was given the nickname of the Great American Eclipse and was the most-observed and the most-photographed solar eclipse in history.
While only a small area experienced a total eclipse, much of the rest of the U.S., as well as parts of Canada and Mexico, were able to witness a partial solar eclipse.
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Small towns and remote areas located along the path of totality became crowded with eclipse viewers. This influx of people was a boon for local economies with many hotels and campgrounds being completely booked nearly a year in advance.
People that could not travel to see last year’s total solar eclipse, and those that missed out due to cloudy weather, may want to start looking ahead to the next one that will be visible from the U.S. in just a few years.
On April 8, 2024, the moon will once again be seen passing in front of the sun in the skies over the U.S. with the path of totality stretching from Texas to Maine.
Major cities that will experience a total solar eclipse include Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, and Buffalo and Niagara Falls, New York.
Portions of Mexico and eastern Canada will also experience a total solar eclipse while nearly the rest of North America and Central America experience a partial solar eclipse.
With the path of totality including so many highly-populated areas, the 2024 eclipse could surpass the 2017 and become the most-observed eclipse in history.
Those hoping to see this eclipse should plan their trips well ahead of time, including booking hotels and purchasing eclipse glasses from a verified manufacturer.
While all eyes will be focused on the total eclipse in the eastern U.S. in 2024, the western U.S. will experience a different type of eclipse seven months prior.
On Oct. 14, 2023, an annular solar eclipse will be visible from Oregon to Texas, as well as Central America and parts of South America.
During an annular solar eclipse, the moon is farther away from the Earth, so it is not quite large enough to completely block the sun.
Because of this, they are often referred to as ‘Ring of Fire’ eclipses.
An annular eclipse appears at a waterfront park in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Monday, May 21, 2012. The annular eclipse, in which the moon passes in front of the sun leaving only a golden ring around its edges, was visible to wide areas across China, Japan and elsewhere in the region before moving across the Pacific to be seen in parts of the western United States. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Since the moon never completely blocks the sun, onlookers must use solar filters throughout the entire event, unlike a total eclipse of the sun when spectators can remove their solar filters during totality.
Looking at the sun without specially-made solar filters can lead to permanent eye damage.
There have been many cases of eye damage following the Great American Eclipse. One woman in her 20s burned holes in both of her retinas after looking at the sun several times without protective eyewear, resulting in a permanent blind spot in one of her eyes.
Following the close pair of eclipses in 2023 and 2024, the contiguous U.S. will not see another total solar eclipse until Aug. 12, 2045. This eclipse will be visible across a similar area to that of 2017’s eclipse; however, it will be significantly longer with totality lasting for more than six minutes.
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