EarthSky // Tonight // Astronomy Essentials By Bruce McClure Jun 01, 2011

When is the next total solar eclipse in the U.S.?

The next total solar eclipse visible from the mainland U.S. will be on August 21, 2017. During a total solar eclipse – when the new moon swings in front of the sun and completely covers it – the sky turns suddenly from day into night, and stars pop into view.

The next total solar eclipse visible in the mainland United States will come on August 21, 2017. The next total eclipse after that for U.S. observers will be on April 8, 2024.

Image Credit: NASA Eclipse Web Site

Check out the map at right. It shows all the total solar eclipses occurring in North America from 2001-2050, thanks to the eclipse master Fred Espenak.

During a total solar eclipse – whenever the new moon swings directly in front of the sun and completely covers it – the sky turns suddenly from day into night, and stars and planets pop into view. What’s more, a total solar eclipse shows you the sun’s normally invisible corona. It’s a breathtaking sight!

The moon passes more or less between the Earth and sun every month. This is the new moon phase. More often than not, no eclipse happens at new moon, because the new moon usually sweeps to the north or to the south of the sun. There are several lunar and solar eclipses each year, however. Look here for a complete list of solar eclipses between the years 2001-2020.


Are lunar eclipses more common than solar eclipses?

Photo of the solar eclipse at sunset by JunCtion.

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45 Responses to When is the next total solar eclipse in the U.S.?

  1. corey samson says:

    THANKS MAN, THIS HELPED ME

  2. You should check out the longest Full Solor Eclipse ever, that happend over NM. USA in sept 27 759 or 758 BC. remember the zero year.
    This is the longest eclipse of all time 5+ hours over the same mountan spot. It will be the longest till the year 16 million + AD. if the moon is still in orbit with us. ps when I said over the same mountan spot. I mean that the Umbra, was over the same spot from morning till late evening and forty miles away ABQ. got a parshel eclipse most of the day and a full eclipse about noon). And wow do I know there is a YAW glyph at the site that show a solor eclipse after Vergo where Lebra should be and the YAW is the sun moon and the 4 or more planets tracking the sun and moon during the Ecipse. The site is a Isrealite Tabernacal before the split of the 12 tribes and a 100 years before the Tora was made by the Jews after Babylon Exedis.

  3. jeff says:

    Great info! Thanks so much for sharing. Do you know when the next partial solar eclipse will be in North America? I live in Toronto, On.

    Thanks!

  4. Bruce McClure says:

    Jeff,

    There will be a partial solar eclipse in northern Canada and northern Alaska on June 1, 2011. You’ll have to be farther north than Toronto to see it, however. For more information, see the NASA Eclipse Web Site at http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse.html

    Bruce

  5. Melanie Soto says:

    This really helped with my research!! Time to experiment!!=)

  6. anthony marquez says:

    Thanks this really helped. In addition when will there be a solar or lunar eclipse over california and how many times in about 1,000 years?

    • Bruce McClure says:

      Anthony,

      Go to the NASA Eclipse Web Site at http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse.html, then scroll to the bottom to find 5,000 years of solar and lunar eclipses all catalogued for you.

      Bruce

      • leassa says:

        i live in troy,mo and was wondering about what time the eclipse is going to happen, i love astronomy and have a passion for star-gazing. it’s important that i know what time tonights eclipse will be so i can watch it!

      • Oliver Adams says:

        YOU ARE SO WRONG; IF YOU ARE A SCIENCETIS I UNDERSTAND ; I THINK THE SOLAR ECLIPSE WILL BE ON AUGUST 21 2017!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  7. Colby Kamps says:

    Is it possible to know if its going to be a cloudy or clear night?

  8. dfubgirebg says:

    this was horrible info sry!!!

  9. Bruce McClure says:
    February 9, 2011 at 6:58 am
    Anthony,

    Go to the NASA Eclipse Web Site at http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse.html, then scroll to the bottom to find 5,000 years of solar and lunar eclipses all catalogued for you.

    Bruce

    (cool guy? :))

  10. Bruce McClure says:

    im cool cause i know everythin about eclipes!!!!

    hey ya!!!!!!

    u make me smile like sun
    buuuuuuzzzz like a bee

  11. Nonya says:

    You guys are all freaks and are so lame to be interested in solar eclipses bevause they are just things that happen naturally so leave Britany alone!

  12. ????????????????????? says:

    when would the next solar or lunar eclipse be in germany?

  13. clatot says:

    yes 1999-2008
    2008-2017
    2017-2026
    after this year ( 2026 ) you will be in another world …

  14. Sean Adams says:

    I’ve never seen a solar eclipse before, what is it like?

  15. vett says:

    the article posted june 1, 2011 above contains the following verbiage at its end…….”There are several lunar and solar eclipses each year, however, and the next solar eclipse (for non-U.S. observers) will come on January 4, 2011.”……. i am assuming this is a type-O since January 2011 has already passed…..what is the correct date?

  16. EnterNameHere says:

    Thanks… Great info…

  17. Ameena says:

    you guys in the states are lucky!! the next solar eclipse in my country will occur in September 23, 2090 :’(

  18. Tom says:

    Will the solar eclipse in 2017 be viewable from Chicago, Il?

    • Bruce McClure says:

      Tom,

      A partial solar eclipse will be visible from Chicago but you’ll have to be in southern Illinois to see the total eclipse on 2017 August 21.

      Bruce

  19. kennan says:

    what time is the eclipse today?

  20. Nina says:

    OMG I missed the last one! Now I won’t be able to see the next one until i’m 18! I’m jealous. My friend saw the last one and i DIDNT.

  21. Nina says:

    Why did i think of Twilight when i read this?!

  22. [...] Solar eclipse is on August 21 2017! Yikes! Have you seen a eclipse? For more info click here or here. Posted under Uncategorized Comments [...]

  23. deshawn says:

    That is cool i cant wait for it u know wat i am taking about

  24. KittyKat says:

    OMG!!! I will be sixteen then! I have never seen one before and cannot wait! Don’t forget that you will not be able to look directly at it because it will blind you! If you don’t think that will happen, i dare you to do it. That will be your fault then! I am a person who shall not give my name away for certain reasons! And i love twilight eclipse so on the day of the eclipse i will watch the movie! See you peeps later!
    =-}

  25. Anissa says:

    My Birthday is August 21 so will I be able to see it in Tucson Arizona?? Please say yes it would be the best birthday ever if that happend

    • Bruce McClure says:

      Anissa,

      It’ll be a partial solar eclipse from Tucson, Arizona. But if you willing to travel northward (Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska or Missouri) you’ll be able to see a total solar eclipse, one of nature’s grandest marvels.

      Bruce

  26. Samantha says:

    I was wondering if it would be a total solar eclipse in Phoenix, Arizona because I just learned about solar and lunar eclipses and I really want to see a total eclipse.

  27. falala says:

    Hi Bruce,
    Will the the solar eclipse coming in 2017 be viewable in Atlanta?

  28. John says:

    when is the next eclipse near or in NV

  29. jasmine says:

    lol. im in class right now, in 5th period researching about the sun, how fun ! not rlly :p

  30. djamanda says:

    im learning this now and i need help

  31. diana says:

    I was set to belive there will be an alunnar eclipse, will I be able to see anything from Georgia?

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