The thrilling solar eclipse is soon. An expert gave us viewing tips.

"In my experience, you can't overhype it."
By Mark Kaufman  on 
The total solar eclipse photographed in August 2017.
The total solar eclipse photographed in August 2017. Credit: SOPA Images / Getty Images

In 2024, a rare total solar eclipse will pass over the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Millions will have the chance to see the moon completely block out the sun, revealing our star's ghostly atmosphere. It's a thrilling event. Here's everything you need to know.


An enchanting solar eclipse is imminent. Are you ready?

Witnessing a total solar eclipse — wherein the moon completely blocks out the sun — is a rare opportunity. But on April 8, 2024, millions of Americans will be in the "path of totality" (shown below), allowing many to experience something that's at once astonishing, unsettling, and thrilling. It's an event that's difficult to convey.

"In my experience you can't overhype it," Richard Fienberg, an astronomer and senior advisor at the American Astronomical Society, told Mashable.

It's worth preparing for this celestial happening, so you can enjoy it, and enjoy it safely. What follows is guidance from the experienced astronomer Fienberg, who has witnessed 14 — soon to be 15 — total solar eclipses.

"In my experience, you can't overhype it."
The path of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.
The path of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Credit: NASA Science Visualization Studio

How to experience "totality"

When the moon passes in front of the sun, it casts a shadow on Earth that passes over a relatively thin band of our planet's surface. On April 8, this band — shown in the map above — is about 115 miles across and passes over Mexico, from Texas through Maine, and finally across Eastern Canada.

Crucially, to experience a total solar eclipse — as opposed to a partial eclipse — one must be in this path. "There is no such thing as a 50 percent total eclipse, or 99 percent total eclipse," Fienberg emphasized. "There's only a total eclipse or a partial eclipse."

Put another way, "Seeing a partial eclipse bears the same relation to seeing a total eclipse as kissing a man does to marrying him," the author Annie Dillard wrote in her essay "Total Eclipse," a poignant tale about experiencing totality in Washington state.

Only during a total solar eclipse will you witness the star of the show.

"The star of the show is always the solar corona," Fienberg emphasized.

A composite image showing the progression of the total solar eclipse from partial to totality, and again to partial.
A composite image showing the progression of the total solar eclipse from partial to totality, and again to partial. Credit: NASA / Aubrey Gemignani

The solar corona, which is the sun's outer atmosphere, is almost always impossible for us to see, because of the sun's intense brightness. But when the moon blocks the sun during totality, the ghostly wisps of the corona are revealed.

"The total phase is spectacular," Fienberg marveled.

"The star of the show is always the solar corona."

If weather allows, any person in the path of totality will first witness the partial eclipse — as the moon gradually moves in front of the sun — followed by totality, and then once again a partial eclipse as the moon moves away.

Eclipse viewing: Arrive early. Stay put. And leave late.

Many of us will travel to reach the path of totality. I, for example, drove from Southern California to Central Oregon to witness 2017's total solar eclipse.

For travelers, plan to make eclipse viewing at least a full-day event.

"Don't leave right after the eclipse. Otherwise you'll just get stuck in traffic," Fienberg, an experienced eclipse viewer, explained. "Arrive early. Stay put. And leave late."

Mashable Light Speed
Want more space and science stories in your inbox?
Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter.
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!

While the totality phase will last three or four minutes, the greater eclipse event will last some two and a half hours. For example, on April 8, 2024, in Dallas, Texas, the moon will begin moving in front of the sun at 12:23 p.m. CDT. This is the start of the partial eclipse phase. Then, over an hour later, at 1:40 p.m. CDT, totality begins, meaning the moon has completely blocked the sun. Totality lasts until around 1:44 p.m. CDT. Then the moon gradually moves away from the sun, with the last of the partial eclipse ending at 3:02 p.m. CDT.

As you can see, it's an event. Add on travel time, traffic, finding a place to watch, and beyond. It's best to make it a trip.

Prepare for a full eclipse experience — not just a view.

When totality hits, the whole world around you changes.

"It's not just something you see. It's something that you feel," Fienberg said.

"It's not just something you see. It's something that you feel."

The world immediately shifts from day to appearing as dark as deep twilight. The temperature drops. The change can prompt reactions among animals, like bats awaking and birds flying into trees. You might even hear crickets.

Combine these effects with a suddenly blackened sun (like a great black eye in the sky), surrounded by the brilliant corona, and the experience is poignant.

"So much happens in that moment, so much happens above you, around you, and within you," Kate Russo, a former psychologist and avid eclipse chaser, previously told Psychology Today.

"I've seen people cry during totality. I've seen people with their mouth agape, and everything in between," Fienberg said.

You can only remove your eclipse glasses during totality.

During the totality phase — and only during totality — you can remove your specialized eclipse viewing glasses.

"You can view the eclipse directly without proper eye protection only when the moon completely obscures the sun’s bright face – during the brief and spectacular period known as totality. (You’ll know it’s safe when you can no longer see any part of the sun through eclipse glasses or a solar viewer,)" NASA explains.

But during the partial eclipse, you'll need to view the event with eclipse viewers or glasses. So get ready to put those glasses on again. "As soon as you see even a little bit of the bright sun reappear after totality, immediately put your eclipse glasses back on or use a handheld solar viewer to look at the sun," the space agency said.

A woman views the eclipse with eclipse glasses.
Make sure to view a solar eclipse with approved eclipse glasses. Credit: NASA / Mamta Patel Nagaraja

The American Astronomical Society has amassed a great list of vetted sellers. You can find them at https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters. If you choose to buy your eclipse glasses from a website, see if the vendor is selling products that have been vetted by the AAS. There's a risk of purchasing unsafe or misleading products.

In the few minutes or so of totality, the only light you'll see is from the corona, whose "radiation is too weak to have any harmful effects on the human retina," NASA explained.

Don't try to take an amazing total solar eclipse picture.

If it's one of your first eclipses, Fienberg recommends focusing on the rare experience rather than trying to get a potentially OK picture.

"Don't worry about trying to get great photos of it," he emphasized. "Use those precious few minutes to observe all around you." 

Have a great time.

Some places have better odds, climatically and statistically, of having clear skies on April 8. Texas, for instance, has better odds of clear weather on April 8 than many parts of New England, where it can be overcast in early spring.

But no one knows what exactly the weather will be doing, and where, months in advance. So make your plans, choose a location that works for you, and see what you can experience.

And for those who live in the path of totality, you ought to embrace the opportunity.

"If you're in the path of the eclipse, consider yourself really fortunate," said Fienberg. "This is your shot. Take advantage of it."

An image of the sun just before totality taken aboard NASA’s Gulfstream III jet in 2017.
An image of the sun just before totality taken aboard NASA’s Gulfstream III jet in 2017. Credit: NASA

Topics NASA

Mashable Image
Mark Kaufman

Mark is an award-winning journalist and the science editor at Mashable. After communicating science as a ranger with the National Park Service, he began a reporting career after seeing the extraordinary value in educating the public about the happenings in earth sciences, space, biodiversity, health, and beyond. 

You can reach Mark at [email protected].


More from Total Solar Eclipse 2024

Recommended For You
Book Delta's special solar eclipse flight before it sells out
a delta a321neo takes off

Japan's moon lander snaps eerie photo — and it could be its last
SLIM moon lander imaging lunar surface


What's the 'best' place to see the solar eclipse? Experts explain.
A time-lapse image showing the total solar eclipse in August 2017.

Scientists zoom in on distant solar system. It's teeming with water.
The blue regions show areas where the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) detected clear signs of water vapor in a distant star system.

More in Science


How to cancel your Amazon Prime membership
Illustration of a person signing for a package delivery

IRS Direct File program now open to more taxpayers
A woman holds paperwork with her computer open in front of her.

See the world for less with $50 off your $100+ roundtrip airfare at JetBlue
The tail of a JetBlue plane as it flies through the air

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for March 9
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for March 9
a phone displaying Wordle

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for March 8
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

21 of the best ChatGPT courses you can take online for free
ChatGPT on phone

Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for March 8
a phone displaying Wordle
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!