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It's a bird. It's a plane. It's the 2024 total solar eclipse — and here at EyeMed, we're excited to celebrate this historic event taking place on April 8, 2024.

2024 total solar eclipse fast facts1

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When

April 8, 2024

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What

A total solar eclipse

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Where

15 states across the U.S.

This event is extra special because it will be a total solar eclipse and viewable across North America. It will pass over Mexico, the United States, and Canada – so, many of us will get to experience it (approximately 32 million people).

During the total solar eclipse, the moon will completely obscure the sun and leave only the faint solar corona, which is known as “totality”. Totality will last for about 3 to 4 minutes, depending on the location in the viewing path.

Total solar eclipse phases

partial solar eclipse phase beginning

Partial begins

totality solar eclipse phase beginning

Totality begins

maximum solar eclipse phase

Maximum Totality

totality solar eclipse phase ending

Totality ends

partial solar eclipse phase ending

Partial ends

Path of totality2

moon path moon

Partial Begins12:23pm CDT

Totality Begins1:40pm CDT

Maximum1:42pm CDT

Totality Ends1:44pm CDT

Partial Ends3:02pm CDT

Partial Begins12:33pm CDT

Totality Begins1:51pm CDT

Maximum1:52pm CDT

Totality Ends1:54pm CDT

Partial Ends3:11pm CDT

Partial Begins12:42pm CDT

Totality Begins1:58pm CDT

Maximum2:00pm CDT

Totality Ends2:02pm CDT

Partial Ends3:17pm CDT

Partial Begins12:42pm CDT

Totality Begins1:59pm CDT

Maximum2:01pm CDT

Totality Ends2:03pm CDT

Partial Ends3:18pm CDT

Partial Begins1:50pm EDT

Totality Begins3:06pm EDT

Maximum3:07pm EDT

Totality Ends3:09pm EDT

Partial Ends4:19pm EDT

Partial Begins1:59pm EDT

Totality Begins3:13pm EDT

Maximum3:15pm EDT

Totality Ends3:17pm EDT

Partial Ends4:29pm EDT

Partial Begins2:02pm EDT

Totality Begins3:16pm EDT

Maximum3:18pm EDT

Totality Ends3:20pm EDT

Partial Ends4:30pm EDT

Partial Begins2:04pm EDT

Totality Begins3:18pm EDT

Maximum3:20pm EDT

Totality Ends3:22pm EDT

Partial Ends4:32pm EDT

Partial Begins2:14pm EDT

Totality Begins3:26pm EDT

Maximum3:27pm EDT

Totality Ends3:29pm EDT

Partial Ends4:37pm EDT

Partial Begins2:30pm EDT

Totality Begins3:32pm EDT

Maximum3:34pm EDT

Totality Ends3:36pm EDT

Partial Ends4:37pm EDT

What are the different types of a solar eclipse?3

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Total solar eclipse

The sun is fully hidden by the moon.

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Partial solar eclipse

The moon doesn't fully block the sun so only a portion of the sun is obscured. Here the moon appears to take a “bite” out of the sun.

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Annular solar eclipse

The moon is centered in front of the sun but doesn't cover the entirety of the surface, so a “ring of fire” shines around the moon.

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Hybrid solar eclipse

The rarest solar eclipse, which is a combination of a total and annular eclipse and is produced when the moon's shadow moves across Earth. These begin as one type of eclipse and transition to another.

Other fun facts4

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During the eclipse, the temperature will drop by 10°F to 15°F

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This is the first total solar eclipse in the U.S. in 7 years

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Totality will last for about 3 to 4 minutes depending on the location in the viewing path

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Everyone in the U.S. will see at least a partial eclipse

Woman looking up at the sky with protective glasses on for eclipse Woman looking up at the sky with protective glasses on for eclipse

Solar eclipse safety

Safety is the number one priority when viewing a total solar eclipse. According to Prevent Blindness, here are a few tips to ensure your family is safe while viewing the 2024 total solar eclipse.5

1.

It is never safe to look at a partial solar eclipse without proper safety equipment or techniques.

2.

During the very brief time the sun is in total solar eclipse it is safe to look at it — but do so with caution.

3.

Use expert-approved solar eclipse glasses (ISO 12312-2) to view a solar eclipse safely and without damaging your eyes.

4.

Talk with your eye care provider to determine the best viewing option for you. To schedule an appointment, visit EyeMed's Provider Locator.

5.

If you have any changes in vision that continue to get worse, after viewing the solar eclipse, seek treatment from your eye care provider.

2024 Total Solar Eclipse Resources

Planning to experience the eclipse with your family? Here are a few kid-friendly resources you can use to guide them through this exciting event.

Snap a quick pic of your family having fun with our eclipse tools and tag us on social (@eyemedvisioncare). Your photo could be included in our solar eclipse recap!

1 - Carter, Jamie, “10 Strange Facts About The 2024 Solar Eclipse,” Farmers Almanac, hfps://www.farmersalmanac.com/10-strange-facts-about-the-2024-solar-eclipse, January 2024
2 - “2024 Total Eclipse: Where & When,” NASA, January 2024, https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse- 2024/where-when/
3 - “What is a solar eclipse?,” Space.com, hfps://www.space.com/15584-solar-eclipses.html, January 2024
4 - Bakich, Michael E., “25 facts you should know about the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024,” astronomy.com, hfps://www.astronomy.com/observing/25-facts-you-should-know-about-the- total-solar-eclipse-on-april-8-2024/, April 2021
5 - “Solar Eclipse Eye Safety,” Prevent Blindness, hfps://preventblindness.org/solar-eclipse-and- your-eyes/, Accessed February 2024