This story is about our planning and going to the 2024 total solar eclipse. We are already on our way, heading across Arizona, New Mexico, and a large part of Texas. On April 8th, we will be north of Waco, Texas, and hoping that we get lucky and don’t have clouds between us and the sun.
On April 8, the moon will be positioned so that the entire disc of the sun will be blocked out for nearly four and a half minutes (depending on location). The shadow will traverse several U.S. states, plunging millions of people into darkness during the middle of the day.
Total Solar Eclipse
To get the full impact of the solar eclipse, unless you live along the path of totality, you need to travel to see it. At least I need to travel to the path of totality. Fifteen states will have locations along the path of the total solar eclipse. Most of Indiana and Ohio will be covered by the path as the shadow travels toward the northeast.
The width of the total solar eclipse shadow path depends on how close the Moon is to Earth. When the Moon is farther from Earth, it does not fully eclipse the Sun, causing an annular eclipse. In an annular eclipse, a ring of the Sun is still visible, and only the center is obscured. This happens because the Moon’s orbit is an ellipse, not a perfect circle.
Last October, we sat through an annular eclipse in Oregon under a typical Oregon cloud cover and didn’t see anything. After sunrise, it gradually got darker and then gradually got lighter. The clouds were thick enough, however, that we didn’t see anything abnormal. We didn’t travel to see the 2023 Oregon annular eclipse. We just happened to be there. We traveled to see the 2017 total solar eclipse. The eclipse in 2017 was amazing. Here is a link to that story. 2017 total solar eclipse
About the shadow cast by the eclipse
As the Sun and Moon align, a shadow is cast on Earth. As Earth rotates and the Moon moves in its orbit, the shadow moves across Earth’s surface. The shadow from a solar eclipse can move across the Earth at speeds up to 7000 miles per hour.
The solar eclipse shadow will hit our campground at 1:39:16 Central Time (Daylight Saving Time) and will be moving at 1,646 miles per hour, heading northeast. The shadow will be slightly more than 119 miles wide. Our campground is slightly east of the centerline, and 4 minutes and 15 seconds later we will again see the sun at 1:43:29. Of course, these are estimated times (within about 1 second), based on my location. We could travel about ten miles west from our campground, and the show would last about 13 seconds longer.
Location and duration
The longer the solar eclipse lasts, the darker the sky will seem. I expect to see stars and at least one planet during the solar eclipse. If you are on the edge of the path of totality, the shadow will pass you quickly, and the darkness will be shorter. If you are on the edge, the sun disk will disappear, but instead of total darkness, it will seem like twilight. Since this solar eclipse is in the middle of the day, twilight will be in every direction.
Being on the centerline of the shadow path doesn’t guarantee you the best viewing. A shorter eclipse without clouds will be way better than a longer eclipse with clouds.
Partial eclipse
Nearly everyone in the United States will have at least a partial solar eclipse, including Hawaii, but excluding most of Alaska. The closer you get to the path of totality, the more obscured the sun will be. After seeing a total eclipse (after numerous partial eclipses) I have one simple thing to say. If you could have seen a total eclipse and you only see a partial eclipse… you missed the show.
Might be the biggest disappointment of the century
The 2024 total solar eclipse may be the biggest disappointment of the century. Remember that nursery rhyme? April showers bring May flowers. Please, not on April 8th.
I planned much of our 2024 journey around being on the centerline of the path of totality in an area with a low probability of cloud cover. As said, we are heading for Texas. The website Elcipsophile states that Texas has the best historical weather profile in the entire United States and has a relatively low probability of cloud cover on April 8th.
The problem with using historical cloud-cover data is that it covers the month of April, not just April 8th. I am hoping for no clouds on April 8. Locations to the north or south of our campsite might have clear skies while we have a rainstorm. In that case, we should be willing to move, and if we do, we’d better move early in the morning.
Moving to a better location an hour before the eclipse will probably just get you stuck in traffic. If you move locations, do it early. Expect to be at that new viewing location for a long time. Bring food. Traffic on your way back will likely be at a standstill for hours.
Historic cloud cover
The following pictures are from the G.O.E.S. satellite for water vapor (clouds) on April 8th, for the last few years. Satellite photos can’t tell us what will happen, but they’re great at showing what happened. The G.O.E.S. satellites are geostationary satellites that are dedicated to weather observation. The following pictures are taken from NOAA and are historically accurate. I drew the blue line for the 2024 eclipse.
Later, I will tell you how you can get an even better forecast for cloud cover on April 8th, starting about five days before the eclipse. You have to check often. Forecasts change frequently.
Only Penumbra or (Penumbra + Umbra) or Antumbra
You want to travel to the solar eclipse to get in the shadow of the Moon. Scientifically, this area is called the umbra. If you are outside the shadow, you are in the area of penumbra. If you are outside the shadow, you will not get the full show. Antumbra is the scientific term for an annular eclipse.
I took my children to an annular eclipse in San Diego at sunset. Since the sun was only partially obscured, you could see the ring of fire around the moon disk. Since it was sunset, the sky looking towards the sun was pink. It was an impressive show. I wonder where that picture went?
If you are in the path of totality for a total solar eclipse, you will see both the penumbra and the umbra. If you are not in the path of totality, you will only see the penumbra. To get the full show, you need to be in the path of totality.
Safety
Do not look directly at the sun without solar eclipse glasses until the sun disk is completely obscured by the moon. When in the penumbra, do not look directly at the sun. Eclipse glasses are about 1,000 times darker than normal sunglasses.
Here is a link to my article about solar eclipse glasses. How to test for fake solar eclipse glasses!
Do not look at the sun through a telescope or binoculars without adequate eye protection. When using a magnifying device like a telescope, you need a darker lens than when you are not using one.
Digital cameras, including your cell phone camera, also need protection. The sensor inside your camera can easily be damaged or destroyed if focused on the sun during the penumbra period. As for photos, the area around the sun will still appear white and not exhibit a wonderful color pattern.
What you should expect to see
The penumbra
If you are not in the shadow path, this is the only thing you will see. If you are in the penumbra, you will see the partial solar eclipse. Do not look directly at the sun without solar eclipse glasses; it is only partially obscured. If you are in the shadow path, you will still see the penumbra, then the umbra, then another penumbra.
One cool way to see the penumbra’s shadow is to stand under a tree and look at a white sidewalk. The tree’s leaves may create a pattern of the sun as the moon obscures it on the sidewalk in the shadow cast by the tree.
The advancing shadow
If you are on a hilltop, you can see the shadow as it approaches, advancing across the ground. Likewise, if on a hill, and especially if looking at surrounding hills, you can see the shadow as it moves away after the eclipse passes.
Shadow bands
If you are near a white surface, facing away from the sun, and watch the surface (rather than the sun) you might see shadow bands caused by irregularities in the earth’s upper atmosphere. These atmospheric irregularities also cause the twinkling effect of stars at night. Look for shadow bands, just as the moon hides the sun’s disk. Shadow bands are not the same as the shadows you see under a tree.
The diamond ring
As the moon almost totally obscures the sun, expect to see the eclipse create a view that looks much like a decreasing-size diamond ring. When the moon fully obscures the sun, the diamond ring will disappear and then reappear on the opposite side.
Temperature drop
During the eclipse, starting at about 3/4 obscuration, expect the temperature to drop by ten to twenty degrees until the sun comes back into view.
Baily’s beads
At the final stage, right before full obscuration, you may see miniature bright spots along the edge of the moon. These are caused by mountains and canyons on the moon’s surface. These bright spots are called Baily’s Beads.
The picture at the top of this article shows the corona and some of the Sun peeking out from behind the Moon, called Baily’s Beads.
Double diamond rings
The diamond ring occurs just as the moon obscures the sun. Some people, especially in Texas near Austin, may see Baily’s beads that appear to create two diamond rings at the same time.
Venus and Jupiter, maybe even Saturn and Mars
During full obscuration, Venus will be easy to see. For those who know where to look, you can find Jupiter during the eclipse using binoculars or a telescope. Venus should be obvious, and when you look south at the eclipse, Venus will be at the 4 o’clock position of the Sun. At the 4 o’clock position, you might also be able to spot Saturn and Mars. They will appear to be stars in a straight line with Venus. Jupiter will be at the 10 o’clock position, about four times farther away from the Sun than Venus.
Maybe even a comet
A comet that makes regular visits to the inner solar system may be visible through telescopes during the obscuration. This will take some effort and skill. You only have about four minutes to work. Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will be at the 11 o’clock position when looking at the eclipse.
I won’t be looking for planets or the shadow bands on the ground. The real show will be in the sky as the moon obstructs your view of the sun.
The Corona
When the sun is obscured, you can see the corona around its edge. You are not looking at the sun itself, but at the space surrounding it.
Twilight in every direction
During the obscuration, you will see what looks like twilight in every direction. This light will come from areas still in the penumbra.
Weather considerations along the shadow path.
East of the Marfa front
It is hard not to get geeky when talking about a solar eclipse. One problem with the 2024 solar eclipse is that the entire path of totality is east of the Marfa front. The Marfa front is named after Marfa, Texas. Crossing Marfa to the northeast is a line across the continent that separates moist air from dry air. Everything east of Marfa is east of the dry line. West of Marfa, a drier air mass prevails. The sky east of Marfa is typically a lighter blue than the sky west of Marfa, where it is a darker blue.
West of the Marfa front
Areas west of Marfa (including Marfa), however, are not in the path of totality. For us, being in the path of totality, the probability of clouds is about 55%. South of our location (closer to Waco), the probability of cloud cover is about 50%. The probability of cloud cover at the Texas-Mexico border in the path of totality is about 45%. The probability of cloud cover to the north increases with location along the path of totality.
The entire shadow path in the United States is east of the Marfa front
As the shadow travels northeast, the probability of cloud cover increases to about 70% over Indiana and then drops to about 60% over Ohio, climbing again to about 80% over Maine.
If in Mexico and on the shadow path
The lowest probable cloud cover in the solar eclipse path will be in Torreon, Mexico at about 20%. Serious eclipse watchers from all around the world are expected to be in Torreon.
Tornado season
April is the first month of tornado season. I mentioned the Marfa line because most spring tornadoes occur east of Marfa, where warm, dry air from the west meets moist air east of Marfa and mixes to form thunderstorms. The likelihood of thunderstorms and tornadoes is lower because the heating of the Earth’s surface on April 8th will be less than normal. Still, be aware that Tornado Alley runs along the eclipse shadow path.
Where to see the solar eclipse
Considering all the above information, and because I wanted to drive the shortest distance to the eclipse, I charted the locations above on Google Maps to identify the solar eclipse path across Texas.
An airplane won’t work
Delta Air Lines is adding flights between San Antonio and Chicago, with a very high chance of seeing the solar eclipse from the air above the clouds. These passengers will see a very different view, which may include watching the edge of the shadow path along the ground. These passengers will not see the sun disk with the moon in front of it. The reason the airplane won’t work to see the eclipse is that the sun for the 2024 solar eclipse will be very high in the sky, and airplanes don’t have glass roofs.
How to prepare for the eclipse
Weather forecasting
Starting about a week before the eclipse, I will be watching the weather carefully using Windy (link below). I’m most concerned about cloud cover. To use this tool on your computer, go to Windy.com (link below for my location). Then, as needed, change the location and zoom in on it. Then select the clouds overlay. In the following photo, I have done that for my expected location, using today as an example.
Location Change
About a week before the eclipse, make sure to fill the car’s gas tank. Also, make sure you have plenty of food. Unless it’s critical to get in the path, don’t travel on the day of the eclipse if you can avoid it. If you travel on the day of the eclipse, leave early in the morning and bring plenty of food and beverages.
Well before the eclipse, expect locations like parks and rest areas to be full. Parking will be very limited unless you are there early in the morning; expect parking problems. Expect gridlock for at least an hour after the eclipse. It is better to sit in your car and watch people stuck in traffic than it is to join them.
Major cities along the path of the solar eclipse
Starting from the south, here is a list of cities and notes associated with the solar eclipse. For each area, I will also discuss historic cloud cover at each location.
San Antonio and Austin
San Antonio and Austin, you will be so close to the shadow of the solar eclipse that it would be a shame to not go to a location, ideally about fifty miles to the northwest, to see the total solar eclipse. Half of San Antonio and Austin will be in the path.
If you stay in eastern San Antonio or Austin, you will only see a partial eclipse. Even a 10-mile drive could put you in the path. San Antonio, with a high likelihood of clear skies and easy freeway access, will be a magnet for Texans trying to see the eclipse. I expect West San Antonio’s population to double during the solar eclipse. (Just a guess.)
Waco, Fort Worth, and Dallas
Waco and Dallas are on the path. Most of Fort Worth is on the path. Denton (northwest of Dallas) is not in the path. Again, a drive of only about ten miles could put you in the path. Do it and thank me later.
Texarkana, Hot Springs, and Little Rock
Texarkana, Hot Springs, and Little Rock are inside the path.
Saint Louis
Saint Louis is not in the path, but it is close. From Saint Louis, drive about 30 miles east or southeast to get in the shadow path.
Carbondale, Indianapolis, Dayton, and Cleveland
Carbondale, Illinois, Indianapolis, Indiana, Dayton, and Cleveland, Ohio are in an ideal location. If you are in Louisville, Cincinnati, or Columbus, you will need to drive northwest to get on the path. If you are in Carbondale and were also in Carbondale in August 2017, you might have seen the 2017 solar eclipse, and from the very same location, you can see the 2024 solar eclipse.
Buffalo, Rochester, and Burlington
Buffalo and Rochester, New York, are along the centerline. Same for Burlington, Vermont. While the shadow path will cross Maine, all the major population centers are well south of the path.
How to plan a trip to the 2024 solar eclipse
If you have an RV and assuming you don’t already have reservations, this might be difficult. Locations in the path of totality were probably already booked months ago. If instead you can camp outside the path of totality and then drive into the path early on April 8th, it shouldn’t be too difficult. Plus, this gives you some flexibility to target a cloud-free area.
My article about planning a trip with RV Trip Wizard can give you a big advantage in finding a place to camp and see the 2024 total eclipse. Here is a link to that article. Easy Planning with RV Trip Wizard
Using the Trip Wizard map, select a destination with good highway access that isn’t between major cities. Expect lots of eclipse watchers to travel from Houston to San Antonio. If you don’t already have reservations, San Antonio might not be a good destination.
For this exercise, I am going to pick Brownwood, Texas. All the major cities are to the east, and it has good roads going northeast and southeast. If these campgrounds in Brownwood are already reserved, try a location farther west. Campgrounds near San Angelo, Texas have open reservations. Remember you need to be in Brownwood for two nights minimum; this includes the day before the eclipse and the night after the eclipse.
After you pick a campground, click the information box to get details for 1994 Ranch, including a phone number. Repeat this until you find a suitable location.
Next, establish a route to your campground of choice. Refer to my article on using RV Trip Wizard for more tips on creating a route. Here is a link to that article. Easy Planning with RV Trip Wizard
What to do if you miss the 2024 solar eclipse
You could try to catch the August 2, 2027, total solar eclipse in southern Spain. That would be fun. In this part of Spain, cloud cover would almost be unheard of, so your chances of seeing the eclipse would be ideal. In 2027, I might want to spend the entire summer in southern Spain. That would be great.
On July 22, 2028, you have another chance, but you have to travel to Australia. For this total solar eclipse in Australia, the ideal place is inland from Sydney. Remember that July in Australia is winter. Still, it is a pretty dry place overall.
Don’t wait for 2044! If the 2024 eclipse is a bust, I’m going to plan on 2027. The ideal place to see the August 23, 2044 eclipse will be in Alberta, Canada. The mountains in Montana will also get the show. The 2044 solar eclipse in the United States. Twenty years from now. That is a long time to wait.
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Links
How to test for fake solar eclipse glasses!
Windy.com, centered on our campground in Texas I will be using this link leading up to April 8th hoping that we are in an area without clouds.
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We were in Oregon for the last total solar eclipse.
It was great and a once in a lifetime event.
We will be on the western sideline for this one in norther Nevada.
Hope the skies are clear for you all.
Thank you once again for the most indepth information I have ever read. I did capture the shadow on our concrete slab last to use a partial eclipse. Awesome safe advice to capture with a photo. Glad to know home in Georgetown TX is an ideal spot!
Great information Scott. Very Thorough. We will be in Arkansas and it will be close. I will use your info to dial it in a little bit. So who knows. Thanks.
Thank you for all the information.
Great reads! Keep sending your adventures!
Scott, once again, I’m impressed with the breadth and depth of your research (and how you carry the explanation from the broadest, esoteric astronomical principles to the most detailed practical directions). I had no idea there was so much to be known about the subject. Thanks.
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Hey Scott & Tami, we’d originally decided not to head over for the eclipse, knowing that our luck would mean it will rain. So, I am sorry for the rest of you that we decided at the last minute to be in Rogers, Texas, at a Harvest Host (a honey bee farm!), who is allowing 2-night stays. Apparently, they are expecting 30 rigs, and are bringing in a BBQ truck for us. We will be buying lots of honey to thank them! Fingers crossed for a clear day and safe travels.
In the city of Rogers they expect 2m 54.4s of totality! It looks great, especially if the host is west of Rogers. Now all we need is the clouds to cooperate.
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