How to View the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse in the United States
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A total solar eclipse, which is when the moon passes between the sun and Earth and completely blocks the face of the sun, will be visible in the United States on April 8, 2024. The path of totality starts on the Pacific coast of Mexico and heads northeast through 13 U.S. states, ending in the Canadian province of Newfoundland.
- A wider path of totality The path of totality, where viewers can see the moon totally block the sun, revealing the sun’s outer atmosphere (called the corona), is much wider than the 2017 path. That means at any given moment, this eclipse covers more ground.
- The eclipse path will pass over more cities. An estimated 31.6 million people live in the path of totality this year, compared to 12 million in 2017. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path. But you don’t need to live in or travel to the path of totality to see the eclipse. An estimated 99 percent of U.S. residents will be able to see the partial or total eclipse from where they live.
- Longer time in totality The period in which the moon blocks the sun, called the totality, will last almost twice as long as in 2017, with the longest period lasting nearly four and a half minutes, compared with about two and a half minutes.
The Best Way to Watch the 2024 Eclipse According to a Top Astronomer
Once you mark April 8 on your calendar, there are a few more things to know about the best way to watch the eclipse. For exact info on the timing of the eclipse where you live, check out the website Timeanddate.
If you live outside the path of totality, consider traveling to get the full eclipse experience. Although an eclipse viewed from anywhere is special, because the sun is so bright, even a 99 percent eclipse doesn’t show the wonderful view, according to Douglas Duncan, PhD, an emeritus faculty member in the department of astrophysical and planetary sciences at the University of Colorado in Boulder and the former director of the Fiske Planetarium, the United States’ most technically advanced planetarium.
“If you possibly can, go to where the eclipse is total. You must see a total eclipse sometime in your life!” Dr. Duncan writes on his website.
“It is impossible to explain how spectacular and moving a total eclipse of the sun is to someone who hasn’t seen it. Many people are moved to tears,” Duncan adds.
How to Safely Watch a Solar Eclipse Without Damaging Your Eyes
From a medical perspective, observing a solar eclipse requires precautions to protect your eyes from the harmful effects of direct sunlight, says Chantal Cousineau-Krieger, MD, a staff ophthalmologist at the National Eye Institute. “Staring at the sun, even during an eclipse, can cause serious eye damage, including permanent blindness,” she says.
Make sure you have the right accessories to protect your eyes, which include the following.
“Eclipse glasses are NOT regular sunglasses — regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the sun,” says Ronald L. Benner, OD, the president of the American Optometric Association and an optometrist in Laurel, Montana. If you normally wear eyeglasses, wear your eclipse glasses over them, or hold your handheld viewer in front of them, he says.
Solar Filters “These can be attached to telescopes, binoculars, or cameras if you plan to use optical devices for viewing. These filters should meet the same safety standards as solar viewing glasses,” says Cousineau-Krieger.
Smoked glass, unfiltered telescopes or magnifiers, and polarizing filters aren’t adequate to watch the eclipse. “You shouldn’t be able to see anything through a safe solar filter except the sun itself or something comparably bright, such as a bright halogen or LED light bulb. If you can see shaded lamps or other common household light fixtures of more ordinary brightness through your eclipse glasses or handheld viewer, and you’re not sure the product came from a reputable vendor, don’t use it,” says Benner.
Pinhole Projector Create a pinhole projector, which is a simple and indirect way to view the eclipse, says Cousineau-Krieger. You can project the image of the sun onto a surface, such as a piece of paper or cardboard, using a pinhole or small opening. Here’s how to make one.
What Not to Do When Watching the Solar Eclipse
“Always prioritize eye safety during solar events and educate others about the importance of using proper protective measures. If you have any concerns about your eyes or vision, consult with an eye care professional for guidance,” says Cousineau-Krieger. Here’s what tops her “don’t do” list.
- Do not look directly at the sun without proper eye protection. Never attempt to look directly at the sun with the naked eye, binoculars, telescopes, or cameras without appropriate solar filters.
- Do not use improvised filters. Avoid using makeshift filters such as sunglasses, CDs, DVDs, or smoked glass. These materials do not provide adequate protection from the harmful solar radiation and can lead to eye injuries.
- Do not use telescopes or binoculars without solar filters. Never use optical devices like telescopes or binoculars to view the sun during an eclipse without proper solar filters. The concentrated sunlight can cause immediate and severe damage to your eyes.
What Are the Risks of Watching a Solar Eclipse?
Staring at the sun can cause solar retinopathy, which is damage to the central zone of the retina, says Benner. “When exposed to intense sunlight like during a solar eclipse, the cells in the retina can become damaged and cause long-term vision issues. Essentially, it’s like getting a ‘sunburn’ on the most sensitive spot of the retina,” he says.
RELATED: 9 Tips to Protect Your Vision and Prevent Blindness
It can take a few hours to a few days after viewing the solar eclipse to realize the damage that has occurred, says Benner. Common symptoms include loss of central vision, distorted vision, and altered color vision.
Want to Use Your Phone to Take a Picture? There’s an App and a Filter for That
At recent eclipses, Duncan noticed people trying — and failing — to take souvenir photos with their phones. “I spent the pandemic inventing and testing Solar Snap, a Velcro-attached filter and an app that makes it easy to adjust your phone camera for solar photography,” he says.
You can order a Solar Snap kit that comes with two camera filters, two pairs of eclipse glasses, two Velcro sets, and the app from EclipseGlasses.com.
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