On April 8, 2024, North America will be treated to one of the most impressive celestial displays in our little corner of the universe—a total solar eclipse. First running through the Mexican states of Sinaloa and Coahuila, the Moon’s shadow will cut across Texas, the Midwest, and the Northeast until finally exiting the continent through Canada’s Newfoundland and Labrador.
Some 43.8 million people live in the path of totality, and many, many more live within a comfortable driving distance. So, if you’re planning on seeing this eclipse before it’s gone (and the next one isn’t coming back to this continent until 2044), here’s what you’re going to need to do.
Step 1: Pick your place
A variety of sources online depict the exact path that the Moon’s shadow will take across the U.S.. But it isn’t quite as simple as picking a spot, parking a lawn chain, and taking in the very brief show. The best way to pick a good spot for your eclipse-viewing adventure is to find a place with clear skies. While you certainly can experience some of the awe-inspiring wonder of a total solar eclipse on a cloudy day, it doesn’t quite have the same drama as watching that small lunar disc slowly blot out the Sun.
Source: Hearst Newspapers DevHub
The New York Times and the National Weather Service have handy maps that analyze historically cloudy areas along the path of totality, and now most places along the path should be in the 10-day forecasts of local news stations. So, if you have a spot in mind, be sure to check the forecast—and if you really want to go down a weather-prediction rabbit hole, this should do the trick (spoiler: go south).
Also, if you’re looking for some events to liven up the experience, Sky & Telescope has a pretty comprehensive list of events happening along the Path of Totality. NASA has a portal for searching for eclipse events near you as well. Also, this list of exact times of totality at major sites along the route will help you plan accordingly. Totality lasts only a few minutes, and you don’t want to miss it!
Step 2: Get the Eyewear
Whatever you do—do not skip this step. Even though that magical total eclipse moment lasts only a few minutes, it’ll take hours for the Moon to begin its journey across the Sun. And if you want to watch that celestial snail race, you’ll need to protect your eyes while doing it.
Again, it is only safe to look at the eclipse during totality without eyeglasses—a.k.a. when you can glimpse the Sun’s ethereal corona. Otherwise always, always, always wear them. In a New York Times report, many people who didn’t heed this advice suffered lasting vision damage from the past eclipse in 2017. TLDR; it’s serious business.
The glasses you’ll need specifically for the event need to be ISO-certified (specifically ISO 12312-2), meaning they reduce visible sunlight to safe levels while blocking almost all solar UV and IR radiation. Many local libraries are handing out glasses for free, and many eyecare stores sell them for as little as $2. But if you want to buy online—act fast.
Step 3: Pick the perfect spot
Once you have your glasses and a (hopefully) sunny day, there’s a few things to keep in mind when staking out that perfect spot. First, be prepared for traffic both to and from the eclipse, and make sure you have a full tank of gas before you head out. Also, you’re going to want to avoid anywhere that might have automatic lights that turn on when things get dark. After all, the eclipse is essentially going to simulate night—it even tricks animals into weird behavior—so human-made night-sensors don’t stand a chance.
Also, make sure you’ve got some sunscreen, some snacks, camping chairs, and a comfy blanket so that you’re ready to take in just a small portion of the majesty that our universe has to offer.
Good luck, and happy viewing!
Darren lives in Portland, has a cat, and writes/edits about sci-fi and how our world works. You can find his previous stuff at Gizmodo and Paste if you look hard enough.
