The awe-inspiring spectacle of a total solar eclipse captivated the United States on April 8th, 2024. But for those who missed it or crave another glimpse of the sun completely shrouded by the moon, the wait won't be too long for the next eclipse. Here's a breakdown of when the US can expect to witness this celestial phenomenon again:
| Date | Solar Eclipse Type | Geographic Region of Visibility |
| Oct. 2, 2024 | Annular | An annular solar eclipse will be visible in South America, and a partial eclipse will be visible in South America, Antarctica, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, North America |
| March 29, 2025 | Partial | Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Ocean |
| Sept. 21, 2025 | Partial | Australia, Antarctica, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean |
| Feb. 17, 2026 | Annular | An annular solar eclipse will be visible in Antarctica, and a partial eclipse will be visible in Antarctica, Africa, South America, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Indian Ocean |
| Aug. 12, 2026 | Total | A total solar eclipse will be visible in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and a small area of Portugal, while a partial eclipse will be visible in Europe, Africa, North America, the Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Ocean, and Pacific Ocean |
Source: NASA
Here's a breakdown of upcoming solar eclipses visible from the US:
October 2nd, 2024: This won't be a total eclipse, but an annular eclipse. The moon will be slightly farther from Earth, appearing smaller and not completely covering the sun. This will create a dazzling "ring of fire" effect, but only visible in South America. However, a partial eclipse will be observable from parts of North America, including the US.
March 29, 2025: While not a total eclipse, skywatchers in North America will have a chance to witness a partial solar eclipse on March 29th, 2025. This will be a partial solar eclipse, visible across parts of North America, including the US. However, the exact path of visibility will be determined closer to the date.
September 21st, 2025: This eclipse will be a partial solar eclipse, meaning the moon will only partially cover the sun. It will be visible from parts of Australia, Antarctica, the Pacific Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean.
February 17th, 2026: This will be an annular solar eclipse, where the moon leaves a bright ring of the sun visible. While the full effect will only be observable in Antarctica, a partial eclipse will be visible from a much wider range, including Africa, South America, parts of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, and the Indian Ocean.
August 12th, 2026: This eclipse is a must-see for those lucky enough to be in the path of totality. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon completely covers the sun, creating a breathtaking celestial spectacle. The path of totality will stretch across Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and a small portion of Portugal. Additionally, a partial eclipse will be visible from a much larger area encompassing Europe, Africa, North America, and parts of the Atlantic, Arctic, and Pacific Oceans.
Next Total Solar Elipse in the US
For the next total solar eclipse to grace the contiguous United States, we'll need to wait a bit longer. The path of totality for the eclipse in August 2044 will skim across the northernmost reaches of the US, primarily impacting Montana and North Dakota.
The next total solar eclipse to offer a coast-to-coast experience across the US arrives in August 2045. This eclipse will be visible from northern California all the way to Cape Canaveral, Florida, offering a truly nationwide opportunity to witness the sun disappear completely.
The Planetary Society mentions: “While there will be more total solar eclipses around the world in the coming years, this will be your last chance to see one in the contiguous United States for 20 years. On Aug. 23, 2044, a total solar eclipse will begin in Greenland, sweep through Canada, and end as the Sun sets in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.”
Comments
All Comments (0)
Join the conversation