If you have missed the recent total solar eclipse 2024, don’t worry. The universe has more celestial spectacles in store. But, you will have to wait a bit for the next one visible from the mainland US.
October 2, 2024: This year, on October 2, an annular eclipse will occur in Uruguay and Argentina.
What is annular eclipse?
This is when the moon crosses the sun’s centre but doesn’t completely block it due to its distance from Earth. This partial eclipse will also be visible in several South American countries.
March 29, 2025: Next year, on March 29, Europe, including the UK, will witness a partial solar eclipse. Some cities in Scotland will see more than 40% of the sun obscured.
August 12, 2026: The next total eclipse will be on August 12, 2026, visible in large areas of the northern hemisphere. However, totality will only be seen in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and a small area of Portugal. The UK will experience a partial eclipse of more than 90%.
August 22, 2044: For those in the mainland US, the next total solar eclipse will be on August 22, 2044, visible in North and South Dakota, Montana, and northern Canada.
August 12, 2045: Less than a year later, on August 12, 2045, another total eclipse will span from California to Florida.
As John Gianforte, a professor of space science at the University of New Hampshire, puts it, “After people see a total solar eclipse, the first question they ask is when the next one is.”
“Eclipses are quite frequent, not all of them are total but some of them are, and some of them aren’t all that far away. People who’ve seen one understand why people get emotional and make a big deal about travelling to watch a total solar eclipse.”
Partial or total, eclipses are always a sight to behold.
