when is the next solar eclipse?

In 585 BC, the Greek philosopher Thales accurately predicted a solar eclipse. Debates surround Thales’s prediction and how much pure luck was involved, but it was accurate enough to go down in the annals of history. His methods, based on existing knowledge established by the Babylonians hundreds of years before, were primitive compared to the very specific ones used by scientists today.

Those watching Monday’s eclipse have access to second-by-second forecasts and detailed maps showing where totality’s path will be. While much of the United States could see some remnants of the eclipse, the path of totality only traces a relatively narrow path from Texas to Maine. Millions of people have flocked to cities and towns along this path, but with hotels full and highways busy, millions more will surely not be able to experience the full power of a total solar eclipse.

So when will the opportunity to see a total solar eclipse present itself again?

Total Solar Eclipses in the United States

There are a total of eight total solar eclipses with paths of totality spanning parts of the United States in the 21st century. That includes the 2017 eclipse and Monday’s, meaning there are only six left this century.

After Monday, the next total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States will be on August 23, 2044, but it will only affect three states. The path of totality will begin in Greenland, move westward across northern Canada, and finally into Montana, North Dakota, and a small part of South Dakota.

More Americans will likely have the opportunity to witness a total eclipse the following year. On August 12, 2045, a total eclipse will begin in northern California and pass through Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida .

On March 30, 2052, the path of totality for a total solar eclipse will begin in Mexico and move northeast across the Gulf of Mexico passing small parts of Louisiana, Alabama, Florida , and as far as Georgia and South Carolina.

The eclipse of May 11, 2078 will follow a relatively similar path. It will begin in Mexico, cross the southern tip of Texas, and travel south from New Orleans to Atlanta and Charlotte.

New England residents will next experience a total eclipse on May 1, 2079. The path of totality will head south across Greenland, to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, and northeast the United States. All of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island are within the entire trail, as are New York City, Philadelphia, much of southern New Hampshire, and all of coastal Maine.

Finally, on September 14, 2099, a total eclipse will begin in southern Canada before moving to North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina .

Global

Those who have the time and resources to travel the world won’t have to wait as long to experience a total solar eclipse.

On August 12, 2026, residents of Greenland, Iceland and Spain will be treated to a total eclipse.

On August 2, 2027, the path of totality will cover the northern coast of Africa before heading towards Saudi Arabia and the Indian Ocean.

And on July 22, 2028, a total eclipse will be visible across much of Australia and parts of New Zealand.

Total vs Annular

The above information only concerns total solar eclipses. However, spectacular views can still be seen during annular eclipses. An annular eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun while at or near its farthest point from Earth. When this happens, the sun is still visible as a ring around the dark disk of the moon.

Several annular solar eclipses will occur over the next decade around the world, including one next October that will be visible in small areas of Chile and Argentina, near the southern tip of South America.

U.S. residents will next be able to see an annular eclipse on June 21, 2039 in Alaska. The neighboring United States will then experience an annular eclipse on February 6, 2046 in northern California, Oregon, Nevada and Idaho. Another will take place on June 11, 2048 in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Wisconsin.