As a lifelong New Yorker, artist Jill Gill, 91, has watched the city's famous streets transform before her eyes.
20.03.2024 - 04:13 / forbes.com / Red Sea
Today is equinox—when the hours of darkness and daylight are identical across the globe—but in North America, everyone’s thinking about the upcoming total solar eclipse in just over two weeks.
However, totality occurs occasionally on the date of the equinox itself. It last happened in 2015, when an eclipsed sun was seen in clear skies from Svalbard—one of the world’s cloudiest places.
The next “equinox eclipse” will occur a decade from today when, on March 20, 2034, the rare and exquisite celestial event will cross Central Africa and South Asia.
It will bring a brief night in the day, with the sun completely blocked out by the moon for up to 4 minutes and 9 seconds—about the same as what eclipse chasers in North America can experience on April 8.
For those with an adventurous nature who want to witness another total solar eclipse, 2034’s “equinox eclipse” is tempting, with a 99 miles (160 kilometers) wide path of totality stretching from Benin in West Africa to China via 12 countries. There are many potential viewing locations along the path of totality on March 20, 2034 Total Solar Eclipse—some with almost guaranteed clear skies, according to Timeanddate. Here’s the pick:
This UNESCO World Heritage Site will be right on the centerline of the path, offering a totality time of 2 minutes and 51 seconds. With monumental gateways and columns, it’s sure to be a popular spot for eclipse chasers. There’s around a 38% chance of clouds.
Located on the western shore of the Red Sea, this ancient seaport is just inside the path of totality and will see totality for 2 minutes and 58 seconds. There’s just a 5%. It will also experience the 21st century’s longest remaining total solar eclipse on August 2, 2027.
Located in the Indian Himalayas, Leh offers a unique viewing experience with an eclipsed sun low on the western horizon for 1 minute and 57 seconds. Clear skies are not guaranteed here, but the prospect of clear mountain air and dramatic scenery will make Leh a popular location for eclipse chasers.
While it has a 38% chance of cloud, this is a great option for those who want a fly-in, fly-out eclipse experience—it’s just a 40-minute drive from Kuwait City and has a totality time of 3 minutes and 10 seconds.
The natural arches of Chad’s Ennedi Plateau offer a unique viewing experience. With a totality time of 3 minutes 32 seconds and a 7% chance of cloud cover, it’s a great option for adventurers.
For the latest on all aspects of April 8’s total solar eclipse in North America, check my main feed for new articles each day.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
As a lifelong New Yorker, artist Jill Gill, 91, has watched the city's famous streets transform before her eyes.
As millions of Americans get ready to watch the total solar eclipse on Monday — an event NASA has described as rare and "spectacular" — the phenomenon also stands to lift local economies.
A total solar eclipse is coming to the U.S.—but not everyone is invited. On Monday, April 8, the moon will be close enough to Earth to appear just larger than the sun as it crosses its disk, casting a shadow that will move across the planet at about 1,500 mph.
Ninety-nine years ago, there was a landmark total solar eclipse in New York City. It split the city into two—the haves and the have-nots—with those to the north of 96th Street glimpsing a totally eclipsed sun and those to the south merely seeing a partial eclipse.
Destinations in the path of the upcoming total solar eclipse are bracing for a surge of spring travelers, and national parks are taking steps to help manage the crowds.
On Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will be visible within parts of North America. If weather is permitting and there aren’t cloudy skies, total visibility will start along Mexico’s Pacific Coast. In the United States, the path of totality, which is the narrow ribbon of places where the full eclipse can be viewed, goes from Texas to Maine. NASA is offering a map that shows the path of totality as well as a timetable of when the eclipse should appear in some of the major locations where it can be viewed.
The Riviera Maya in Mexico has long been an unquestionable destination favorite, lined with dozens of beachfront resorts and a lively nightlife scene. But travelers yearning for a more laidback, bohemian vibe can now fly further south into Tulum’s brand-new Felipe Carrilo Puerto International Airport (TQO), which welcomed its first-ever international flights just last week.
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Will your intended observing location on April 8 actually experience a total solar eclipse? If you completely trust the travel industry and the media, you might do. Or you might not.