The celestial spectacle of the total solar eclipse of 2024 started today, with the moon perfectly aligning with the sun and the Earth. This event saw a magnificent shadow that darted across the Earth’s surface at over 1,500 miles per hour.
Observations varied from location to location. In certain regions, viewers marvelled at an annular solar eclipse, where the moon blanketed the sun’s center, creating a resplendent “ring of fire”. In other places, viewers saw a partial eclipse.
Residents and visitors utilized solar glasses to safely watch this astronomical wonder. Scientists, astronomers, and photographers, equipped with their tools, eagerly gathered data, and captured pictures to better understand our sun’s elusive outer atmosphere.
The eclipse first revealed itself in the North American sky, specifically in portions of Mexico. The point of total eclipse took place in Mazatlán, Mexico, around 9:51 a.m. MT.
Tracking the 2024 total solar eclipse
The spectacle then shifted across the United States, moving to Texas before it reached its apex in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.
From Kentucky, the eclipse’s trajectory continued northeast, engulfing parts of South Carolina to the edge of New England in partial darkness. In a grand departure, the event made its final appearance over the North Atlantic Ocean.
The eclipse then entered Texas around 12:10 p.m. CT, and subsequently, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Arriving in Little Rock by 12:33 p.m CT, the eclipse continued its journey to Ohio by 1:15 p.m. ET. After illuminating Ohio, it made its way to Buffalo, New York, around 2:30 p.m. ET.
Further moving, the celestial event covered parts of New Hampshire and Maine before entering Quebec, around 3:13 p.m. ET. It is anticipated to exit North American land at Newfoundland, Canada, around 5:16 p.m. NT.
Despite the varying maximum totality period, here are the predicted times: 11:07 a.m. PT in Mazatlán; 1:40 p.m. CT in Dallas; 1:51 p.m. CT in Little Rock; and moving into Eastern Time zones, it is expected at 3:13 p.m. in Cleveland; 3:18 p.m. in Buffalo; and lastly at 3:26 p.m. in Burlington.
The eclipse’s conclusion depends on the location. For instance, the estimated end time is 12:32 p.m. PT for Mazatlán, 3:02 p.m. CT for Dallas, 3:11 p.m. CT for Little Rock, 4:29 p.m. ET for Cleveland, 4:32 p.m. ET for Buffalo, and 4:37 p.m. ET for Burlington.
