Two solar eclipses coming to the U.S. next year
Map by Michael Zeiler (GreatAmericanEclipse.com). Click for original.
The U.S. public will get to see two different solar eclipses during a six month period, starting one year from today.
The map to the right, cropped and reduced to post here, shows the dates and the path of both eclipses.
On 14 October 2023, anyone under clear skies within a path that sweeps from Oregon to Texas and then through parts of Central and South America will see an annular (“ring”) eclipse. Just six months later, on 8 April 2024, a total solar eclipse will sweep from Mexico to Texas to the Canadian Maritimes, plunging day into night and revealing the magnificent solar corona for anyone fortunate to be within the path of totality and under clear skies. Nearly everyone in North America will have a partial solar eclipse both days.
As always with eclipses, great care must be taken to watch it. With the 2017 eclipse Diane and I had good filters, but even so I noticed my eyes were very tired for several days afterward.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
Map by Michael Zeiler (GreatAmericanEclipse.com). Click for original.
The U.S. public will get to see two different solar eclipses during a six month period, starting one year from today.
The map to the right, cropped and reduced to post here, shows the dates and the path of both eclipses.
On 14 October 2023, anyone under clear skies within a path that sweeps from Oregon to Texas and then through parts of Central and South America will see an annular (“ring”) eclipse. Just six months later, on 8 April 2024, a total solar eclipse will sweep from Mexico to Texas to the Canadian Maritimes, plunging day into night and revealing the magnificent solar corona for anyone fortunate to be within the path of totality and under clear skies. Nearly everyone in North America will have a partial solar eclipse both days.
As always with eclipses, great care must be taken to watch it. With the 2017 eclipse Diane and I had good filters, but even so I noticed my eyes were very tired for several days afterward.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
I live in the path of both of those eclipses. Where their centerlines cross is just 10 or 15 miles from my house. The 2024 event will be interesting, as they anticipate over 50,000 people coming into Bandera County, Texas. That is over twice the current population of the county.
Maybe I should open a refreshment stand on my road. Or lease sitting spots in the front of my acreage.
Annulars aren’t worth leaving town for.
I got to see the total in Torrington WY in ’17. Totally worth the wait and drive. I don’t know if I’ll bother with the ’24.
BillB: ’17 was something that Obama-era USG in general should have planned for and did not. (Colorado is California-tier passive-aggressive at roadwork but since the problem is interstates, I’m hitting the Feds on that issue.)
I planned ahead – I hit the I-25 in the middle of the night and drove back by way of NE, returning on the I-70. But lots of motorists just did I-25 both ways like idiots.
I’ll give credit to Torrington. The town did expect an influx and performed well for us. Although if you wanted, like, food then you had to bring it in. Bandera needs to call in the food trucks.
Bill B… I’m a volunteer with my county EMA. Almost down the center of the 2024 event. We are near three interstates, thus easily accessible. We have been warned to expect traffic jams, cell tower overloads, possible food and fuel shortages. Wherever we are during the event, be prepared for being there for a couple days and supplied.
Campsite already booked in Arkansas for 2024.
Sadly, the weather may not cooperate. Best chance is costal Mexico.
Mazatlan ought to be lit!
Behind the Black gathering at BillB’s, everyone’s invited!
The last total eclipse was something I’ll not forget, and I’ll try to see 2024’s as well.
Pawn—the weather may cooperate, but what about the cartels? I’d rather take my chances with the weather in the good ole US of A.
David Ross, I-10 and I-35 run through the full eclipse path. Plus, there are some major US and Texas highways. All we need to do is stock up and sit tight.
LTC SDS, I have contact with our local EMAs because of Amateur Radio. They are already planning for the large influx of visitors and the impact on the local infrastructure.
John, you will have to bring the beer and the steaks.
I have been looking forward to this since 1991 (San Antonio native here).
Several towns in Nova Scotia are in the path of totality.
Who has the LearJet?
I am not going to worry about the weather until it is a lot closer…
Several good locations are looking as good options.
I so much want to move back to Texas.
But family obligations require me to stay in Ohio.
BillB posited “Maybe I should open a refreshment stand on my road. Or lease sitting spots in the front of my acreage.”
During the ’17 eclipse, a number of local rural property owners did exactly that. There were several folks selling bottled water. Of course, most folks just pulled over to the side of the road, which created it’s own problems. I believe it took me about three hours to drive the 40 miles back home. I wasn’t the only local that knew the back roads.
Hmmmmm…. I’m due to come into a sizable lump of cash in the coming months, and have the idea to take my kids on a “holiday of a lifetime”… All inclusive posh hotel, great weather, etc…
Is there anywhere that ticks those boxes along the 2024 eclipse route? I’ve never seen a total eclipse, so that could add cherry’s to the icing!
Any local advice appreciated!
Lee-
https://eclipsetours.com/2024-baja-california-total-solar-eclipse-cruise/
Others-
My group of young adventurers got clouded out at Cap Chat just a few minutes before totality. I don’t have many more chances to see a such a spectacle. Concerned people should always stay safe. It’s a lifestyle now.
I still remember the one total eclipse I witnessed, on March 7, 1970. We drove down from Philadelphia through Delmarva to Norfolk, where we had about three minutes of totality. Definitely recommend it!
Missed 2017 by about 300 miles. Had to work :(
LeeS:
Go. My very first thought after seeing the ’17 event was “I want to see another one!”
I was able to view totality in 2017 from my front porch. It was so amazing. I cried a little. I didn’t know how lucky I was until I spoke with people who live near me. Just a few miles away clouds obscured their view. I will never forget it. I am trying to make plans to view the next one.
I’d seen partial eclipses before. Interesting the first time but – eh.
I saw the eclipse in August 2017, that had a totality about an hour and a 1/2 from my house. i told my husband I was taking the day off, and traveling.
WOW!!!!
A totality is, according to a physicist I know, about 1,000 times as dark as being in the 99% area. Just NO comparison.
It was awe-inspiring. I’m planning to dedicate the day to making sure that my kids and grands get to see it. I’m going to pack up my science probes (temp, light, and anything else I can think of), my radios, and food/drink for the day.
The only problem will be if cloud coverage messes it up. For that, however, I figure we can travel south of Lake Erie and lessen the likelihood.
I had a temp probe in the last one, and it dropped 13 degrees in just a couple of minutes during the totality.
Well, I’ve been doing my research, and I never thought I’d be planning vacations several years in advance, but everyone I’ve spoken to, heard from or read, tells me it’s worth it…. Even if I’m not around, it’s something to gift the kids…. #gonnamakethis happen…. Cheers folks!