After a six-year wait since the last total solar eclipse in 2017, eclipse-watchers were treated to a spectacular event in April 8. The next total solar eclipse in North America won’t occur for over 20 years, with the next anticipated events not scheduled until 2044 and 2045. These eclipses are considered one of the most spectacular natural phenomena that anyone can witness in their lifetime, with the moon completely blocking the sun to create a black hole effect in the sky.
The total eclipse of the sun occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, temporarily blocking the sun from view. The recent eclipse started on the Pacific Coast of Mexico and then moved into the United States through 15 states before proceeding into Canada and exiting North America. Millions of people from coast to coast witnessed a partial solar eclipse, but only those within the path of totality experienced the complete darkness of the total solar eclipse.
While solar eclipses occur globally, the timings of when they occur are not regular, with some happening every few years and others every few decades in North America. Scientists can accurately predict when and where these eclipses will happen, with the last total solar eclipse crossing North America in 1979. Despite their seemingly random occurrence, there are eight total solar eclipses predicted for North America in the 21st century, occurring about every 12 years on average.
In 2044, a total solar eclipse is forecasted to occur, starting in Greenland before moving through Canada and the northern United States. This eclipse will only be visible from three states in the U.S., mainly observed in Canada. In 2045, another total solar eclipse is expected to darken skies in parts of the U.S., Haiti, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname, and Brazil, moving from coast to coast across North America.
Following the 2044 and 2045 total solar eclipses, the next total eclipses in North America are scheduled for 2078 and 2099. The 2078 eclipse is predicted to pass over the southern United States, with cities like Atlanta, New Orleans, Charlotte, and Virginia Beach in its path. In 2099, a total solar eclipse will cross a wide swath of the United States, passing through cities such as Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Chicago, Columbus, Fargo, and Thief River Falls. These events showcase the precise and predictable nature of natural phenomena, providing viewers with the opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring beauty of total solar eclipses for years to come.
