Map and glasses for the ultimate view

Key Takeaways

A total solar eclipse is set to span North America on April 8.
The eclipse path will start in Mexico and ends in Canada. Eclipse glasses are essential for eye protection during viewing.
Here’s an interactive map to catch its path, plus our pick of the best glasses — and gadgets — for watching it safely.

Next month, a solar eclipse will span the North American continent and block out our Sun.

The total solar eclipse will begin on Mexico’s Pacific Coast and travel across North America into southeast Canada. Solar eclipses aren’t exceedingly rare. They take place every 18 months on average, but in the last 100 years, there’s only been a handful of eclipses that have crossed a large section of North America, and none spent more time on the North American continent than the next eclipse will. This makes this upcoming celestial event a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see one of the most truly mesmerizing phenomena on Earth.

You’ll need to be prepared if you’re planning on catching the eclipse. That includes special glasses or gadgets to help protect your eyes from the sun’s light.

How to safely take photos of the solar eclipse

Aiming a camera at the sun can damage it. Here’s how to safely capture the celestial event and produce great results.

When is the 2024 solar eclipse?

Path of totality for the solar eclipse

NASA

The eclipse will start over the Pacific Ocean, becoming visible on the Mexican shoreline near Mazatlan at 11:07am PDT locally or 2:07pm EST. From there the eclipse will slowly work its way across North America, crossing into the US at 1:27pm CDT or 2:27pm EST.

How long the eclipse will be viewable depends on how close you are to the center of the path of totality. If you’re smack in the center of the path of totality, you can experience the eclipse for up to four minutes. The further away from the center you get, the shorter the total eclipse will be until you won’t be able to see the total eclipse, but a partial eclipse instead. You can use the map below to see where exactly the total eclipse will be visible from.

Solar eclipse interactive map

The red line shows the center of the path of totality, while the yellow lines show the furthest out that you’ll be able to see the full solar eclipse.

Solar eclipse times

Before we get into times, there’s one other factor when it comes to catching the eclipse: the weather. Clouds or rain can stop you from being able to catch any glimpse of the eclipse at all. That’s why experts are in agreement. The best chance of seeing the eclipse is actually in the southwest, where cloud coverage is less common than in the northeast. Here’s a breakdown of all the major cities along the path of the eclipse and how long they’ll experience the event.

City	Time of Eclipse	Duration of Eclipse
Mazatlán, Mexico	11:07 AM CST	4m 26s
Durango, Mexico	11:30 AM CST	4m 25s
Torreón, Mexico	12:00 PM CST	4m 27s
Dallas, Texas, USA	01:34 PM CST	3m 49s
Austin, Texas, USA	01:36 PM CST	3m 48s
Fort Worth, Texas, USA	01:38 PM CST	3m 50s
Arlington, Texas, USA	01:39 PM CST	3m 51s
Killeen, Texas, USA	01:41 PM CST	4m 8s
Little Rock, Arkansas, USA	01:54 PM CST	3m 58s
Carbondale, Illinois, USA	01:59 PM CST	4m 9s
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA	03:06 PM CST	3m 55s
Columbus, Ohio, USA	03:14 PM EST	3m 48s
Toledo, Ohio, USA	03:15 PM EST	3m 44s
Erie, Pennsylvania, USA	03:16 PM EST	3m 40s
Akron, Ohio, USA	03:16 PM EST	3m 46s
Cleveland, Ohio, USA	03:17 PM EST	3m 51s
Buffalo, New York, USA	03:18 PM EST	3m 47s
Lansing, Michigan, USA	03:18 PM EST	3m 42s
Rochester, New York, USA	03:19 PM EST	3m 34s
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada	03:22 PM EST	3m 38s
Burlington, Vermont, USA	03:26 PM EST	3m 27s
Montreal, Quebec, Canada	03:29 PM EST	3m 34s
Quebec City, Quebec, Canada	03:32 PM EST	3m 14s
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada	03:49 PM EST	3m 24s
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada	05:01 PM EST	2m 33s

Eclipse glasses counterfit feature image

9 solar eclipse glasses with ISO-certification — don’t fall for fakes

Viewing the eclipse with counterfeit solar eclipse glasses could cause eye damage. Try these IOS-certified, AAS-approved eclipse glasses instead.

Do you really need solar eclipse glasses?

Don’t look up (without protection)

Yes, according to NASA, To view any solar eclipse, you’ll need special glasses to protect your eyes from the sun’s intense light and infrared and ultraviolet radiation. Viewing an eclipse without eclipse eyewear can cause serious eye injuries including blindness and retinal burns. Eclipse glasses are designed to comply with ISO 12312-2, an international safety standard that ensures the glasses block enough of the sun’s rays while still making an eclipse observable.

Solar Eclipse 2017 Smartphone Photography Tips And Tricks image 1

Solar eclipse glasses worth buying

Where to buy solar eclipse glasses

Biniki

Finding the best eclipse glasses really comes down to price and style. You can find cheap eclipse glasses made of cardboard, usually in a 10-pack for under $15. If you’re looking for something a little more stylish, you can find eclipse glasses that are a little more expensive and look more like regular sunglasses.

Here’s a few of the best ISO 12312-2-compliant eclipse glasses at different price points:

Biniki Solar Eclipse Glasses

If you’re hosting a party, or just want to make sure your whole family can see the eclipse, this six-pack of NASA-approved solar eclipse glasses is the best choice. Six glasses is enough for most families and at under $10, its a great deal on glasses you’ll probably never wear again.
Pros

Six-pack

NASA approved

Under $10
Halo Phoenix Noir 3-in-1 Solar Eclipse Viewing Glasses

Eclipse glasses you won’t just throw away. They’re a little more expensive, but you won’t just throw them away after the eclipse. The base frames of the glass filter blue-light. It comes with two clip-on frames, one pair of regular sunglasses and another for observing the eclipse.
Pros

Not just for the eclipse

Base frames block-out blue-light

2 add-on lens, including one for the eclipse
Medical King Solar Eclipse Glasses

Medical King’s six-pack of solar eclipse glasses are perfect if you’re looking for a compromise between cheap and stylish. They’re a matte black plastic finish, that makes them a little more adult-looking than the cardboard options.
Pros

Six-pack

Includes a map of the eclipse’s path

man with solar glasses over purple background

How I scored free solar eclipse glasses — and checked if they’re safe

You need special glasses to protect your eyes from UV and IR radiation during the total solar eclipse, and its not hard to get them for free.

Fun gadgets for watching the solar eclipse

Get an even better view of the eclipse

Celestron

Eclipse glasses aren’t the only way you can watch the moon block out the sun. There are ways you can get an even better view with telescopes and binoculars made specifically for viewing the eclipses. There’s also eclipse lenses if you already have a telescope. You can even get a specialized lens for your phone.

Celestron Solar Eclipse Telescope

$99 $130 Save $31

What could be better for observing an eclipse than a telescope designed for observing the sun. This telescope features built-in lenses for observing the eclipse, or just checking out sun spots. It also comes with a handy case for transporting and storing.
Celestron Solar Eclipse Telescope and Camera Filter

If you already have a telescope or are looking to do some photography of the eclipse you’ll need a ISO 12312-2:2015(E) certified lens. This one fits most telescopes and DLSR cameras, and best of all, it’s cheaper than buying a dedicated telescope.
Pros

Great option if you already have a telescope

Also works with DLSR cameras
Eclipsmart Solar Eclipse Binoculars

It’s important to remember the eclipse only lasts four minutes at most. Binoculars are easier to handle than a telescope, and can be passed around so larger groups can easily get a closer look at the eclipse. It has a rubber coated aluminum body making it perfect for kids.
Pros

Cheaper option

Great for parties