Total Solar Eclipse 2024

On April 8, 2024, the United States will see a total solar eclipse.

A total eclipse occurs when the silhouette of the moon completely covers the Sun, leaving only the Sun’s corona visible around its edges. The Sun’s corona is usually too faint to be visible, so this is a rare sight indeed. According to NASA, this will be the last total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States until 2044.

The total eclipse will move up from southern Texas and through northern Maine over an hour’s time, so eclipse watchers from Utah will have to travel for this one if they want to see it in totality. However, anyone who has seen a total eclipse will agree that it will be time and travel well spent.

All the states in the U.S. will experience a partial solar eclipse to some degree, though. In Utah, the total eclipse will be a 50%.

If you are planning on viewing this eclipse, Clark Planetarium has eclipse glasses available for safe viewing, while supplies last. Looking directly at the Sun, even for just a few seconds, can cause permanent damage to the retina of the eye. This damage can even cause blindness. Even the partial eclipse which will be seen in Utah will need eclipse glasses.

Considering how wildly popular the eclipses glasses were during the 2017 total eclipse, it would be wise to get them early. Clark Planetarium has them for sale for $3.00 each, while supplies last, at the Planet Fun Store. For more information, go here.