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Monday will be your last chance to witness a total solar eclipse in North America for 20 years. Fortunately, the path of totality in the US crosses from the bottom of Texas to the top of Maine, giving many Americans a good chance to get a place within a reasonable distance to see the sky.
Even those who are somewhere in the continental United States outside the direct path of the eclipse, will likely witness the spectacular event in the sky in some situation. But when it comes to experiencing a total eclipse of the sun as rare and magnificent as the one that took place the other day, there is no doubt about it: The path of totality is the place to be.
Here’s what to know about the 2024 total solar eclipse, including when and how long to expect darkness.
Examples of solar eclipses:This is why NASA has launched 3 sounding rockets into space throughout the solar eclipse.
What is the path of perfection?
Those in the direct line of the eclipse will be treated to a spectacular view as the moon completely erases the sun’s disk, bringing unusual darkness and revealing the outermost part of the sun. the sun is called the corona. That time is called “totality” and this year the path of totality crosses 13 US states.
The last total solar eclipse to hit North America was in 2017. But astronomers say there’s no comparison between that eclipse and next Monday’s. For the eclipse of 2024, the corona will be brighter, the moon will appear larger and the totality will be longer than seven years ago.
What US cities and states are in the path of totality?
The 115-mile-wide eclipse will give millions of viewers a front-row seat to its glory as it passes through Mexico, the United States and Canada.
In the US, there are hundreds of cities and towns that fall directly in the path of totality. About 31 million Americans will already be living on the path this year, compared to just 12 million in 2017, according to eclipse photographer Michael Zeiler at GreatAmericanEclipse.com.
Here are some of the largest cities in each of the 13 states:
- Dallas and San Antonio, Texas
- Idabel, Oklahoma
- Poplar Bluff, Missouri
- Little Rock, Arkansas
- Patuka, Kentucky
- Indianapolis and Evansville, Indiana
- Carbondale, Illinois
- Cleveland and Toledo, Ohio
- Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, New York
- Burlington, Vermont
- Lancaster, New Hampshire
- Caribou, Maine
- Erie, Pennsylvania
In addition, small parts of Tennessee and Michigan are also expected to experience the eclipse, NASA said. In the United States, the path of the eclipse will end in Maine before visiting the coastal provinces of Canada, according to estimates.
When will the total amount occur in the United States?
The Pacific coast of Mexico will be the first place on the North American continent to experience totality, which will occur at approximately 11:07 am PDT, according to NASA.
As the moon moves northeast, totality in the US will begin at 1:27 pm CDT in Eagle Pass, Texas. From there, the track will cut across the country before ending at 3:33 p.m. EDT in Lee, Maine, according to the report. nationaleclipse.com.
On the road, periods of darkness can last only a few seconds or, in some cities, can exceed four minutes.
Here are the major cities in each state where you can expect to receive the full amount in the United States (note that the included times do not specify the start time and ends the partial eclipse):
- Dallas, Texas: 1:40-1:44 pm CDT
- Idabel, Oklahoma: 1:45-1:49 pm CDT
- Little Rock, Arkansas: 1:51-1:54 pm CDT
- Poplar Bluff, Missouri: 1:56-2:00 pm CDT
- Paducah, Kentucky: 2-2:02 pm CDT
- Carbondale, Illinois: 1:59-2:03 pm CDT
- Evansville, Indiana: 2:02-2:05 pm CDT
- Cleveland, Ohio: 3:13-3:17 pm EDT
- Erie, Pennsylvania: 3:16-3:20 pm EDT
- Buffalo, New York: 3:18-3:22 pm EDT
- Burlington, Vermont: 3:26-3:29 pm EDT
- Lancaster, New Hampshire: 3:27-3:30 pm EDT
- Caribou, Maine: 3:32-3:34 pm EDT
Did the path of perfection change?
A new maps from an astrologer indicates that the path of totality for Monday’s solar eclipse may be narrower than experts previously believed.
If true, some places, including many cities in Ohiothe whole number may now be missing, but elsewhere, it is included additional cities in Texascan now reach it.
But even if the new calculation is more accurate, it seems that this is a small difference that does not seem to matter much for the many millions of people who hope to witness the eclipse.
In fact, a NASA spokesperson told the Detroit Free Press the US space agency will not make any changes to its own calculations.
Do you need eclipse glasses all the time?
The total solar eclipse offers skygazers the rare opportunity to witness the eclipse with the naked eye. However, eclipse glasses are still needed until totality is reached.
Solar eclipse-proof glasses are essential for viewers to avoid the sun’s rays damaging the retina. But when the moon moves completely in front of the sun and blocks its light, you will find it safe to remove the glasses for a short time.
Eric Lagatta is reporting news and breaking stories for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com