The 2024 total eclipse will enter the US mainland through Mexico and continue its path over the US east coast.
For those located in the United States, the table to the left lists the starting time of the eclipse in cities within each state that falls in the eclipse's path. In addition, these areas will also witness a partial eclipse before and after the given times.
For more information and sources, view the full table by NASA here.
Eclipses occur when the sun, moon, and Earth align in a way that either the moon casts a shadow on Earth or the latter casts a shadow on the moon. So what are the similarities and differences between the two types of eclipses? Check out this video by Science ABC!
According to the AAS, the cosmic coincidence that gives us total solar eclipses isn’t permanent. The Moon is ever so slowly moving away from our planet at rate of about 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters) per year. As it recedes, its average apparent diameter shrinks. Eventually, the Moon will never be large enough to completely cover the Sun, and total eclipses will no longer be visible from Earth’s surface.
A total eclipse happens when the dark silhouette of the Moon completely covers the intense light of the Sun. It occurs in places where the umbral shadow is cast. Direct light from the Sun is hidden and we will experience darkness like it is already nighttime.
An Annular solar eclipse is when the Moon and the Sun are both exactly in line. But, either the Moon is further from Earth or the Earth is closer to the Sun. When this happens, the apparent size of the Moon is smaller than that of the Sun. Therefire, it's not able to entirely cover the Sun.
