A rare and spectacular total solar eclipse is set to captivate millions of observers across a broad stretch of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico on April 8th, 2024. This breathtaking event will last for just over four minutes, which is longer than the last total solar eclipse in 2017, and is caused by the moon passing between the Earth and the sun, momentarily blocking the sun’s light. The path of totality stretches across Texas, parts of the Midwest and East Coast, southeastern Canada, and then out to sea, directly impacting cities such as Dallas, Indianapolis, Little Rock, Cleveland, and Buffalo, among others.
In the path of totality, approximately 44 million people living in the 115-mile-wide swath will experience total darkness, while the rest of the U.S. will witness a partial eclipse. Warning against looking at the eclipse directly, experts advise using specially designed glasses that block out 99.99% of the sun’s light. The eclipse enthusiasts are preparing for the rare event and planning celebrations such as the Solar Eclipse Festival on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and the Southern Illinois Crossroads Eclipse Festival. Music lovers in Texas are set to enjoy a double feature of 5-day music festivals coinciding with the eclipse, offering hot air balloon rides and performances from an international lineup of musicians and speakers.