The total solar eclipse 2024 is happening today! Here's what you ...

27 days ago

Space.com

It's the day we've all been waiting for! Total solar eclipse 2024 is finally here.

Today (April 8) a total solar eclipse will sweep across North America from Mexico, through 15 U.S. States and up through Canada. For viewers inside the path of totality, the moon will completely cover the sun, darkening the sky and revealing our star's hidden outer atmosphere.

You can keep up to date with the latest eclipse content on our eclipse live blog and watch all the total eclipse action unfold live here on Space.com courtesy of NASA. Our livestream coverage begins at 1 p.m. EDT (1700 GMT).

If you capture a great photo of the solar eclipse and would like to share it with us please email it to [email protected].

Related: 10 things you probably didn't know about the total solar eclipse 2024

Every U.S. State will experience at least a partial solar eclipse today. If you want to check what time you'll be able to see the solar eclipse and find out what it may look like from your location check out this great interactive map from NASA.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly between the sun and Earth, casting a shadow on our planet. It appears almost exactly the same size as our sun and for those witnessing the event from the path of totality, it will completely cover the sun's visible disk.

Last minute preparations

If you haven't been able to get hold of a pair of eclipse glasses and are looking for an easy way to still view the solar eclipse safely we have a list of some alternative ways to view the eclipse with items from around the home.

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Remember NEVER look directly at the sun. To safely view all of this event, you must use solar glasses or filters. Only those in the path of totality will be able to remove them briefly to see the sun's corona with their naked eyes. Those not in the path of totality must keep them on the entire time.

Everyone observing the partial phases of this eclipse — and for those outside the path of totality, that's the entire event — will need to wear solar eclipse glasses while cameras, telescopes and binoculars will need solar filters placed in front of their lenses.

Our how to observe the sun safely guide tells you everything you need to know about safe solar observations.

Eclipse timings

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Notable locations for the total solar eclipseLocationTotality begins (local time)Totality durationMazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico11:07 a.m. MST4 minutes 20 secondsDurango, Durango, Mexico12:12 p.m. CST3 minutes 50 secondsTorreón, Coahuila, Mexico12:16 p.m. CST4 minutes 11 secondsPiedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico/Eagle Pass, Texas, U.S1:27 p.m. CDT4 minutes 24 secondsKerrville, Texas, U.S1:32 p.m. CDT4 minutes 25 secondsFredericksburg, Texas, U.S1:32 p.m CDT4 minutes 25 secondsDallas, Texas, U.S1:40 p.m. CDT3 minutes 52 secondsIdabel, OklahomaU.S: 1:45 p.m CDT4 minutes 19 secondsRussellville, Arkansas, U.S1:49 p.m. CDT4 minutes 12 secondsCape Girardeau, Missouri, U.S1:58 p.m. CDT4 minutes 7 secondsCarbondale, Illinois, U.S1:59 p.m. CDT4 minutes 10 secondsBloomington, Indiana, U.S3:04 p.m. EDT4 minutes 3 secondsIndianapolis, Indiana, U.S3:06 p.m. EDT3 minutes 51 secondsCleveland, Ohio, U.S3:13 p.m. EDT3 minutes 50 secondsErie, PennsylvaniaU.S: 3:16 p.m. EDT3 minutes 43 secondsRochester, New York, U.S3:20 p.m. EDT3 minutes 40 secondsMontpelier, Vermont, U.S3:27 p.m. EDT1 minutes 42 seconds Oakfield, Maine, U.S3:31 p.m. EDT3 minutes 23 secondsNiagara Falls, Ontario, Canada3:18 p.m. EDT3 minutes 31 secondsMontreal, Quebec, Canada3:26 p.m. EDT1 minute 57 secondsMiramichi, New Brunswick, Canada4:34 p.m. ADT3 minutes 8 secondsTignish, Prince Edward Island, Canada4:35 p.m. ADT3 minutes 12 secondsCatalina, Newfoundland, Canada5:13 p.m. NDT2 minutes 53 seconds

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Submit your photos! If you capture a photo of the April 8 total solar eclipse or any of these strange effects and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send photos, videos, comments, and your name, location and content usage permission release to [email protected].

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Daisy Dobrijevic joined Space.com in February 2022 having previously worked for our sister publication All About Space magazine as a staff writer. Before joining us, Daisy completed an editorial internship with the BBC Sky at Night Magazine and worked at the National Space Centre in Leicester, U.K., where she enjoyed communicating space science to the public. In 2021, Daisy completed a PhD in plant physiology and also holds a Master's in Environmental Science, she is currently based in Nottingham, U.K. Daisy is passionate about all things space, with a penchant for solar activity and space weather. She has a strong interest in astrotourism and loves nothing more than a good northern lights chase!