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Eclipse Media Resources

A purple Moon with a bright white, wispy solar atmosphere billowing out around it. It fills the red and purple background.

For press and media requests about eclipses, please contact:

NASA-EclipseMedia@mail.nasa.gov

2024 Total Solar Eclipse

The wispy solar corona shines brightly behind the dark disk of the Moon during a total solar eclipse
A view of the Aug. 21, 2017, total solar eclipse from Madras, Oregon.
NASA/Gopalswamy

The April 8, 2024, eclipse was a total solar eclipse. It was be the last total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States until 2044. A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. People viewing the eclipse from locations where the Moon’s shadow completely covers the Sun — known as the path of totality —experienced a total solar eclipse. The sky darkened, as if it were dawn or dusk. Weather permitting, people along the path of totality saw the Sun’s corona, or outer atmosphere, which is usually obscured by the bright face of the Sun. 

For NASA, this eclipse provides a unique opportunity to study the Sun and Earth. Through volunteering in citizen science projects, people all over North, Central, and South America participated in scientific research during this eclipse.

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Media Briefing: American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting

On Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, at the 104th American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting, NASA scientists participated in an informative media briefing about the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse. In this briefing, panelists discussed what viewers can see across the path of totality, how they can safely watch the eclipse, and at-home activities to learn about and watch the eclipse. NASA scientists also shared a unique perspective on what it means to see this eclipse during solar maximum, when the Sun is at a period of high activity, as well as the parallels between space weather and meteorology, and space weather’s impact on Earth.

Video credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Producers: Beth Anthony (eMITS | MORI Associates), Lacey Young (eMITS | MORI Associates), Joy Ng (National Institute of Aerospace)

Panelists:

  • Dr. Kelly Korreck, Program Manager for the 2024 Eclipse, NASA Headquarters
  • Dr. Alex Lockwood, Strategic Content and Integration Lead, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
  • Dr. Jamie Favors, Director, NASA Space Weather Program, NASA Headquarters

This video can be freely shared and downloaded at https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14519.

NASA's 2024 Eclipse Map

A map of the contiguous U.S. shows the path of the 2024 total solar eclipse stretching on a narrow band from Texas to Maine
The total solar eclipse will be visible along a narrow track stretching from Texas to Maine on April 8, 2024. A partial eclipse will be visible throughout all 48 contiguous U.S. states.
This video zooms into different parts of the eclipse map, explaining the path and other features that describe what observers across the country could expect to see during the 2024 total solar eclipse.

Safety

Two people look up at the Sun while wearing eclipse glasses
NASA employees use protective glasses to view a partial solar eclipse from the rooftop at NASA Headquarters on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Washington, DC.
NASA/Connie Moore

Eye Safety

Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing. Safe solar viewing glasses, or “eclipse glasses”, are not regular sunglasses. 

Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.

For more information, visit: go.nasa.gov/EclipseSafety

Skin Safety

Even during the partial phases of a total solar eclipse, the Sun will be very bright. If you are watching an entire eclipse, you may be in direct sunlight for hours. Remember to wear sunscreen, a hat, and protective clothing to prevent skin damage. 

Find more Tips to Stay Safe in the Sun from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Travel Safety

With so many people traveling, please check local and national advisories well ahead of time. Travelers planning to see the eclipse should plan well in advance. They should anticipate heavy traffic and crowded locations. It is best to book lodging as soon as possible and to prepare to have difficulties driving on the day of the eclipse. Travelers should make sure to bring food and water and determine how to access a bathroom if they need wait out the traffic when they leave.

Eclipse Science

In addition to inspiring artists and musicians, eclipses have driven numerous scientific discoveries. For over a century, solar eclipses have helped scientists decipher the Sun’s structure and explosive events, find evidence for the theory of general relativity, and discover a new element, among other things.

Learn more about how NASA scientists have used eclipses for research here: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/nasa-research/

During the total eclipse in 2024, NASA is funding several research initiatives. Three of those initiatives also happened during the annular solar eclipse in October. In addition to those projects, three sounding rockets will be launched during the total solar eclipse.

You can get involved with NASA science by participating in a number of NASA-funded citizen science projects. Citizen science projects are collaborations between scientists and interested members of the public. Through these collaborations, volunteers (known as citizen scientists) have helped make thousands of important scientific discoveries. Explore citizen science projects here.

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