Total solar eclipses are the holy grail of eclipse events. They occur when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, fully covering the sun and turning day into night for memorable seconds or minutes. This alignment is a rare occurrence, and the reason the two celestial bodies can appear the same size is because even though the sun is 400 times bigger than the moon, it is also 400 times farther away from us.
Besides total eclipses, there are partial eclipses, which take place when Earth, the moon, and the sun aren't perfectly aligned, so only part of the sun is blocked, and it looks like a crescent. Annular eclipses occur when the moon is farther away from Earth, and the distance means it doesn't fully obscure the sun. Instead, you'll notice a "ring of fire."
Finally, hybrid eclipses, the rarest type occurring about once a decade, are when an eclipse shifts between annular and total—what you'll see depends on where you are.
Keen to learn more about spellbinding total solar eclipses? You've come to the right place.
01 When will the next total solar eclipse occur?
If you weren't in the narrow path of totality during 2024's epic solar eclipse, you might have experienced some serious FOMO. Or perhaps you did, in fact, witness this mind-blowing event, and you're hungry for more. Well, the contiguous United States will only see another total solar eclipse in 2044—that feels like eons away. Anthropomorphic robots could have taken over the world by then. Don't despair. Total solar eclipses occur somewhere on the planet every 18 months or so, so the next one is around the corner.
02 Prime viewing locations for upcoming eclipses
Start saving for some globetrotting. On August 12, 2026, go on a cruise near Reykjavik, Iceland, for maximum totality. On August 2, 2027, make your way to Luxor, Egypt, and hang out with the pyramids while awaiting the eclipse with anticipation rather than the dread of ancient civilizations.
On July 22, 2028, head down under to Sydney, Australia. The Aussies get a second serving at epic Uluru on July 13, 2037. But before then, it's off to Southern Africa on Nov. 25, 2030; a Hawaii cruise ship on Nov. 14, 2031 (Hybrid eclipse edition); Russia and Alaska on March 30, 2033; and Central Africa and South Asia on March 20, 2034. P.S.
These destinations aren't the only places to observe these eclipses, but they're solid options.
03 Travel tips for eclipse chasers
People who are addicted to seeing total solar eclipses are known as umbraphiles or eclipse chasers, and their vacation destinations revolve around eclipse paths. If you're new to the whole business, here are some tips. Book accommodation early for the best prices. You could see the eclipse from a plane, but if that's not on the cards, mentally prepare for some eclipse-related road traffic. Try rideshare if you can. And recognize the potential for heartbreak if the skies aren't clear.
Plan trips abroad with other remarkable local attractions and activities nearby to get the most bang for your buck. Perhaps the northern lights are close, and you can check off another item on your bucket list. If missing totality is out of the question, form a bail-out plan for potential bad weather, with one or two backup locations and the means to reach them.
04 Historical eclipse viewing sites
Total solar eclipses have captivated humans for millennia. Spiral petroglyphs in Ireland dating back to 3340 B.C hint at the earliest observed total solar eclipse. The Ugarit eclipse probably occurred on March 5, 1223 B.C., and was recorded on a clay tablet. In 1302 B.C., Chinese historians noted a total eclipse lasting over six minutes and took it as a warning to the emperor, whose symbol was the sun. He then had to consume vegetarian meals and perform rituals to save the burning orb in the sky. The crucifixion of Jesus is associated with a solar eclipse, as is the birth of the Prophet Mohammed in 569 C.E.
05 Eclipse viewing safety
There's one golden rule for viewing eclipses: Don't look directly at the sun without eye protection. The stakes are high and include distorted vision or vision loss after mere seconds of exposure. Regular sunglasses and unfiltered telescopes, cameras, or binoculars don't cut it for eclipse viewing. Only eyewear that meets the ISO 12312-2 international standard are sufficient.
You're going to have to make a concerted effort to only look up at the sky once you've put on eclipse eyewear, and look away from the sun before removing the special eyewear. These can fit over regular eyeglasses, if necessary. If you've got eclipse glasses from a previous solar event, inspect them for damage, and if you see a scratch, get a new pair. The only time you can look at an eclipse with the naked eye is during the brief moments of totality—as soon as the moon begins to reveal the sun again, it's back to donning your protective equipment.
You can also make a pinhole projectorpinhole projector with two sheets of paper and a pin, but there are lots of inexpensive paper solar viewers too, and many events hand them out for free.
06 Eclipse festivals and events
With so much fanfare surrounding total solar eclipses, it's no wonder that the 2024 eclipse caused a $1.5 billion economic boom. Folks across the country gathered at numerous festivals to celebrate what was, for most people, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you're in the mood for live music, concerts, and raves, you'll find plenty on eclipse paths or watch the eclipse while soaking in a sound bath. Stargazing, magic, bonfires, cosmic screenings, art installations, healing and wellness workshops—there really is something for everyone.
07 Scientific significance of solar eclipses
From amazing Babylonian and Aztec insights to the findings of modern times, solar eclipses have given mankind a chance to gain a greater understanding of astronomy and space.
For example, on July 17, 334, the Roman senator Julius Firmicus Maternus was the first to describe a prominence or eruption of gas above the sun's surface during an annular eclipse. Fast forward a few centuries to 1806, and astronomer José Joaquín de Ferrer named the sun's outer atmosphere its "corona" after watching a total solar eclipse in Kinderhook, New York. A few decades later, and the Russian photographer Johann Julius Friedrich Berkowski successfully took a picture of totality with a telescope at the Royal Observatory in Königsberg, Prussia.
Eclipses have been revealing, confirmational, and awesome for the everyman and for scientists, and the naming of helium and Einstein's theory of relativity are two more examples of this.
08 Cultural significance of solar eclipses
Back when the world felt like a bigger, more mysterious place, people feared solar eclipses. They saw them as harbingers of doom and thought subsequent weather events could cause disease and that pregnancies were in jeopardy. Myths told of a sun god being angry or in dire straits or of a beast trying to kill the sun with apocalyptic outcomes. Norse folklore tells of Loki taking revenge with giant sun-swallowing wolves after being locked up.
The Chippewa people would shoot flaming arrows towards the sun, hoping to reignite it. Around the world, people would work harder because they thought the sun was punishing them for bad behavior. Or the eclipse was connected to romance because the sun and moon were seen as lovers finally uniting.
09 Eclipse photography tips
First things first—shutterbugs require a solar filter to protect their cameras. This filter will come off during the moments of totality so the camera can capture the corona. Practice manually focusing the camera before the big day. Whether you have a DSLR or a phone camera, you'll be able to take some fantastic photos, including landscape shots. Having a telephoto zoom lens and a tripod is a step up. The latter results in clearer images during low light. Take wide-angle photos, and take pics of open-mouthed people gazing up—the eclipse is as much about feelings as it is about a cosmic phenomenon.
10 Virtual eclipse viewing options
If you're interested in eclipses but can't watch them in person, virtual eclipse viewing is the next best thing. During 2024's solar eclipse, NASA livestreamed the event with expert commentary and telescope views. The public could ask questions in the chat box. Various observatory and related websites gave readers the play-by-play on live blogs and via YouTube. Seeing an eclipse from a higher vantage point is possible too with a number of stratosphere surfing balloons in the webcast mix.
11 Interactive tools and maps
Interactive maps and apps help interested parties find local times for eclipses worldwide. Click on a location, and it'll show you whether it will see a partial eclipse, a total eclipse, or no eclipse at all, or check the exact start and end times of totality for specific addresses. Totality by Big Kid Science is just one example of a tool showing where the next eclipses will be visible.
12 Special eclipse events
In 2024, many of the places experiencing a total solar eclipse were privy to less than four minutes of totality. The maximum duration of totality was 4 minutes 28 seconds in Torreón, Mexico. But the Great American Eclipse of 2045 promises six minutes of totality in locations such as Florida, so you might want to pencil it into your future plans. Beyond that, an eclipse in 2186 will rival the longest duration of totality ever recorded at around 7.5 minutes, so if you can find the Fountain of Youth, there's that to look forward to.
13 Eclipse chaser communities
If you want to learn more about eclipse chasing, join chaser Facebook groups for talk of Bailey's beads and chromospheres. Or check out the r/SolarEclipse community on Reddit to see the crazy lengths this niche travel group is willing to go to for something that lasts around five minutes. You could even sign up for an organized expedition with a reputable provider.
14 Travel stories and experiences
Umbraphiles have a running tally of the number of eclipses they've been privileged to see, and they have their fair share of wacky anecdotes to go along with them. From almost frozen faces in Norway to proposing while there's a diamond ring in the sky, you'll be tempted to start planning for the next total solar eclipse ASAP. One tip for newbies comes up over and over again—accept nothing less than 100% totality.
15 Wrapping it up
A total solar eclipse is a momentous event that's been scaring and thrilling human beings for thousands of years. Those who are lucky enough to see one talk about it being an emotional, almost spiritual experience and superstitions still swirl around the occasion. The sky gradually darkens in the middle of the day, revealing stars. The temperature dips, flowers close, and animals respond in unusual ways. It's mind-boggling, hair-raising, and may spawn a new, expensive obsession—you have been warned.
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