All You Need to Know About Monday’s Total Solar Eclipse

Get Ready for Monday’s Total Solar Eclipse!

Excitement is building as a rare celestial event approaches North America. On Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse will captivate viewers as it journeys across the continent, from Mexico’s Pacific coast to eastern Canada, before disappearing into the Atlantic. This breathtaking spectacle will last up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds in the path of totality, a 115-mile-wide trail that stretches across 15 states. If you want the full eclipse experience, make sure you are within this path, as the rest of the continent will only witness a partial eclipse.

To commemorate this extraordinary event, ABC News and National Geographic are teaming up to present a two-hour live special called “Eclipse Across America” on April 8. This broadcast will allow viewers to witness the eclipse in real-time and learn more about this mesmerizing phenomenon.

But what exactly is a total solar eclipse? During this awe-inspiring event, the moon aligns perfectly between the Earth and the sun, momentarily blocking out the sunlight. On April 8, the moon’s shadow will slice diagonally across North America, creating a temporary darkness along its path.

It’s important to note that North America won’t experience another total solar eclipse until 2033, and even then, it will be limited to Alaska. The next opportunity for mainland North Americans to witness totality will be in 2044 when it will be confined to Western Canada, Montana, and North Dakota. Finally, in 2045, the United States will once again have the chance to witness a coast-to-coast total solar eclipse.

So, which states will be lucky enough to witness this incredible event in its entirety? The path of totality will traverse through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Parts of Tennessee and Michigan will also experience the total eclipse, according to NASA. While these states will have the best view, the rest of the country will still be treated to a celestial spectacle worth watching with eclipse glasses.

For those planning to witness the eclipse, here are some key locations and times to keep in mind:

– Eagle Pass, Texas: 1:27 p.m. CDT; 4 minutes, 23 seconds of totality
– Uvalde, Texas: 1:29 p.m. CDT; 4 minutes, 16 seconds of totality
– Carbondale, Illinois: 1:59 p.m. CDT; 4 minutes, 8 seconds of totality
– Cape Girardeau, Missouri: 1:58 p.m. CDT; 4 minutes, 6 seconds of totality
– Burlington, Vermont: 3:26 p.m. EDT; 3 minutes, 14 seconds of totality
– Island Falls, Maine: 3:31 p.m. EDT; 3 minutes, 20 seconds of totality

Remember to check local weather forecasts for the most accurate information before making your plans.

If you can’t make it to one of these locations, don’t worry! The eclipse will still be visible throughout all 48 contiguous states, offering a fascinating spectacle for those outside the path of totality as well.

After Monday’s event, the next total solar eclipse won’t occur until 2026. However, it will only graze the top of the world, passing through Greenland, Iceland, and Spain. The following eclipse in 2027 will travel across Spain and northern Africa, with totality lasting an incredible 6 and a half minutes. North Americans will have to wait until 2033 for another total solar eclipse, but this time it will be limited to Alaska. In 2044, Western Canada, Montana, and North Dakota will have front-row seats, and in 2045, the U.S. will once again experience a coast-to-coast total solar eclipse.

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary event! Tune in to the “Eclipse Across America” live special on April 8, starting at 2 p.m. ET on ABC, ABC News Live, National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Disney+, Hulu, and your local station. Witness the magic of a total solar eclipse and join millions of viewers in marveling at the wonders of our universe.