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The Future of Solar Eclipses in the U.S.
The upcoming total solar eclipse visible from the continental United States is still nearly twenty years away. While millions across the U.S. experienced the total solar eclipse in April 2024, the phenomenon will not reoccur until 2044, with only a limited path of totality set to cross just three states.
During the recent 2024 event, observers in the path of totality witnessed an extraordinary sight: the moon entirely obscured the sun, creating an experience described as akin to seeing “a black hole in the sky,” according to Nahum Arav, a Virginia Tech astrophysicist. He reflected on his experiences during previous eclipses in 1991 and 2017, highlighting the awe these events inspire.
A total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sun’s light for a brief moment. This year, the eclipse began its journey from the Pacific Coast of Mexico, traversing through Texas and across 15 different states before exiting into Canada. Although some regions experienced cloudy conditions, millions still managed to observe at least a partial eclipse, where the moon only partially covered the sun.
What’s Next for Total Solar Eclipses in the U.S.?
Solar eclipses typically occur twice a year, as Arav explained. However, their visibility from specific locations can be sporadic and inconsistent. Historically, the last total solar eclipses experienced in the U.S. occurred in 2017 and 1979. The 2017 eclipse was particularly significant, as it was the first total eclipse to cross the entire continental U.S. in almost a century.
Scientific advancements allow for precise predictions of eclipses, providing exact dates and locations for future events. There are expected to be eight total solar eclipses observable from portions of the continental U.S. during the 21st century, with averages of one every 12 years. The next total solar eclipse will occur on August 23, 2044, according to NASA; however, the path of totality for this eclipse will only reach Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
While this eclipse will be short-lived over the U.S., Canada will experience more extended periods of totality.
Exploring the Path of Totality
The 2044 eclipse will initiate in Greenland and predominantly travel through Canada, providing only brief glimpses in three U.S. states. The path will pass through Williston and Dickinson in North Dakota and Great Falls in Montana.
A Grand Event in 2045
The following significant solar eclipse, which will cover a larger area of the U.S., is predicted for August 12, 2045. This event will once again stretch across the nation, starting from California and concluding in Florida, similar to the 2017 eclipse. Major cities along the path will include Reno, Nevada; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Little Rock, Arkansas; Jackson, Mississippi; and Orlando, Florida.
Looking Farther Ahead
In addition to those witnessed in 2017 and 2024, there are six more total solar eclipses predicted for the contiguous United States throughout the 21st century. Arav likened the predictability of these natural events to “a Swiss clock,” underscoring our understanding of when and where they will occur.
The upcoming total solar eclipses will take place in the following years:
2052
The total solar eclipse on March 30, 2052, will traverse the Southeastern U.S., including:
- Pensacola, Florida
- Tallahassee, Florida
- Savannah, Georgia
- Charleston, South Carolina
2078
On May 11, 2078, another total solar eclipse will grace the Southeastern states, including:
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Montgomery, Alabama
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
2079
The total eclipse on May 1, 2079, will be seen from several Northeastern states:
- Portland, Maine
- Manchester, New Hampshire
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Hartford, Connecticut
- New York City, New York
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2099
The total solar eclipse on September 14, 2099, is anticipated to cover a wide area of the United States, with a path of totality that includes:
- Fargo, North Dakota
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Chicago, Illinois
- Columbus, Ohio
- Charleston, West Virginia
- Richmond, Virginia
Source
www.cbsnews.com