What to Know About the Total Solar Eclipse

The total solar eclipse begins in Maine on April 8, 2024, at 3:28 pm EDT and ends at 3:35. Not much time to witness it, but it will be a few minutes longer than the last total solar eclipse in 2017. Also, according to NASA, “The path of totality – where viewers can see the Moon totally block the Sun, revealing the star’s outer atmosphere, called the corona – is much wider during the upcoming total solar eclipse than it was during the eclipse in 2017.”

Where to see the eclipse

A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk. Even if you aren’t in the path of totality, weather permitting, you should be able to experience at least a part of the eclipse. Want to know how much of the eclipse you’ll be able to see? Check out this interactive map from NASA.

Safety first

The only time it is safe to look directly at the sun is during the brief total phase of the eclipse when the moon completely blocks the sun’s brightness. Otherwise, never look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing. Here are some other solar eclipse safety tips from NASA. If you need safety glasses, check with your local library. Many are giving away glasses for free. We were, but our supply is now gone. Sorry!