Science

The Next U.S. Total Eclipse Is in 2024. Here's Where to See It

It's good news for Texas and New England.

by Jacqueline Ronson
Total solar eclipse
Getty Images / George Frey

Did you watch the NASA live stream from Monday’s total solar eclipse and just wish you had made the trek to the path of totality?

You blew it this time, but the good news is that you’ll get another chance. Although the United States hadn’t seen a total eclipse before this one since 1979, the next one is relatively soon — on April 8, 2024.

You’ll want to start booking accommodations and stockpiling eclipse glasses soon if you’re going to avoid the inevitable last-minute madness of sky-high prices and shortages. Here’s where to catch the best views:

Mazatlan, Mexico

The 2024 eclipse will touch the North American continent on the west coast of Mexico. The popular tourist town Mazatlan is nearly in the center line of the path of totality, so if you like beach lounging with your astronomical events, this is where you want to be.

Eagle Pass, Texas

The eclipse will hit American soil at Eagle Pass, Texas, just across the Mexican border from Piedras Negras. This town of 28,000 will certainly be host to some pretty good parties in April 2024, when the shadow of the moon will leave the region in darkness for more than four minutes.

The eclipse on April 8, 2024, will span parts of Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

Wikimedia

Dallas, Fort Worth, and Waco, Texas

These cities are all within the path of totality, with Waco getting the longest spot in the sun. San Antonio and Austin are on the edge of totality, too, which means the majority of Texans will have to travel just a short distance, or not at all, to take part in this incredible event.

Little Rock, Arkansas

The eclipse will hit southeast Oklahoma and much of Arkansas next. Little Rock is within the path of totality, though a little south of the center line. However, this eclipse will cover a wider swath of the Earth than the recent one, which means that you won’t have to travel so close to the center of the totality to get a solid minute or two of full coverage.

Southeast Missouri and South Illinois

If you’re an outdoorsy type, you may want to plan to head to this region. The eclipse will miss major cities in Missouri and Illinois but will hit some great parks, including Mark Twain National Forest and Shawnee National Forest. This area also boasts the only section of the country to see totality in 2017 and again in 2024.

People watch the solar eclipse at Saluki Stadium on the campus of Southern Illinois University on August 21, 2017, in Carbondale, Illinois. Carbondale will see another total eclipse on April 8, 2024.

Getty Images / Scott Olson

Indianapolis, Indiana

The eclipse hits Indiana next, and Indianapolis residents will be treated to about three and an half minutes in the shadow of the moon.

Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland sits near the center of the line of totality and will offer spectacular views to residents and visitors alike.

Niagara Falls, U.S. or Canada

Here’s one that’s sure to sell out before the rest: The romantic and spectacular Niagara Falls falls close to the centerline of the eclipse path. Expect huge crowds and huge-er prices if you don’t book years in advance.

Buffalo and Rochester, New York

Or, skip the tourist traps and head to Buffalo or Rochester instead. The view will be just as good and the crowds potentially less overwhelming.

Burlington, Vermont

Northern bits of Vermont, including the quaint town of Burlington, will get a chance to get in on the eclipse action in 2024.

Northern Maine

A good chunk of Maine, north of Bangor, will see totality in 2024, hopefully making up for the fact that this was the only part of the continental U.S. that saw less than 50 percent totality in 2017.

Various bits of Canada

If you’re into a cross-border vacation to the north, Canada will have plenty to offer eclipse chasers in 2024. A few bits of southern Ontario and Quebec will see totality; the city of Montreal falls close to the edge but within it. Swaths of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland will be equally blessed.

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