In which U.S. cities will the April solar eclipse be best viewed?

Millions of Americans will be praying for clear skies on Monday 8 April to catch a glimpse of the solar eclipse that will take place over North America. Unfortunately, Mother Nature has other plans as a cold front moves over the US producing high probabilities of cloud cover over large swathes of the nation.

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Solar eclipses are among the most fascinating celestial events that can be seen from Earth. They capture the interest of astronomers, skywatchers, and the general public. These events offer a unique chance to observe the dynamic interactions between the sun, moon, and Earth within our solar system, showcasing the perfect alignment of these heavenly bodies.

During a total solar eclipse, the moon completely covers the sun, casting a shadow on Earth and causing a brief period of darkness. The sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the solar corona, becomes visible during this time. Total solar eclipses are visible only within a narrow path on the earth’s surface.

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When and where will the total solar eclipse in 2024 be?

On April 8, 2024, parts of north America will experience one of these rare occurrences, as a total eclipse will start over the South Pacific Ocean and crosses Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The event will pass through the continent in just an hour and 35 minutes.

Mexico’s Pacific coast will be be the first part of continental North America that will witness totality, around 11:07 a.m. PDT. The eclipse will then enter the US through Texas, moving to Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Some parts of Tennessee and Michigan will also be able to view the event.

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If you want to watch the event, monitor the weather forecast as this could affect visibility. The last time the continent saw a total solar eclipse was in 2017, so if you are committed to observing this one, stay mobile so you can follow its path.

Here is a list of cities with the corresponding times when they will be able to see the eclipse, according to NASA. Under ideal weather conditions, the sky will darken to a twilight blue, with tinges of orange at the horizon.