2024 solar eclipse: The best locations and cities to view the total solar eclipse

Delicate streamers in the sun’s corona surround the totally eclipsed sun during the Aug. 21, 2017, total solar eclipse. Observers along a narrow track from Mexico to Maine should have a similar view on April 8, 2024.

A total solar eclipse will cross the United States in April, and several major cities from Texas to Maine are in for an incredible event – at least for a few minutes.

This will be the first solar eclipse viewable from the United States since 2017.

When is the solar eclipse in 2024?

The 2024 total solar eclipse will occur on April 8th, 2024.

The solar eclipse will be viewable at the Texas-Mexico border (near Piedras Negras and El Indio at approximately 1:27 p.m. local time. From there, it will quickly sweep across the country, reaching Indianapolis by 3:00 p.m. ET, and Maine by 3:30 p.m. ET.

If I miss this eclipse, when is the next solar eclipse after 2024?

According to NASA, the next solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States will be visible in 2044.

What is the path of the solar eclipse?

Meteorologist Brad Panovich shared this great video detailing the path of totality, which includes all major cities that will have 100 percent coverage.

If you can get to the path of totality for the #solareclipse2024 you should. It is literally a night and day difference from 99% to 100% coverage. It is a life-changing experience. Here's a look at the path of 100% totality through the middle of the U.S. pic.twitter.com/2Qag4tpaO7

— Brad Panovich (@wxbrad) March 25, 2024

Where are the best places to view the eclipse?

The following cities, listed by state are in or very near the path of totality:

Texas solar eclipse:

San Antonio, TX (parts of the metro area will be just outside the path of totality)

Austin, TX

Waco, TX

Fort Worth, TX

Dallas, TX

Tyler, TX

Longview, TX

Texarkana, TX

See USA TODAY’s April 2024 total solar eclipse guide

Oklahoma solar eclipse:

Antlers, OK

Idabel, OK

Bethel, OK

Talihina, OK

Arkansas solar eclipse:

Mena, AR

Nashville, AR

Hot Springs, AR

Fort Smith, AR (just outside the path of totality, but only by a few miles)

Little Rock, AR

Conway, AR

Jonesboro, AR

Pine Bluff, AR (city is outside the path of totality, residents will want to head toward Little Rock, Hot Springs, Conway or nearby areas.)

Missouri solar eclipse:

Alton, MO

Poplar Bluff, MO

Zion, MO

Charleston, MO

Perryville, MO

St. Louis, MO (city is outside the path of totality, residents will want to head toward Saint Francois, Perryville, Tilden, Pinckneyville or nearby areas.)

Kentucky solar eclipse:

Paducah, KY

Morganfield, KY

Louisville, KY (city is outside the path of totality, residents will want to head toward Jennings, Hitchcock, Bloomington, Indianapolis or nearby areas.)

Illinois solar eclipse:

Tilden, IL

Pinckneyville, IL

Carbondale, IL

Vienna, IL

Harrisburg, IL

Mount Vernon, IL

Harter, OL

Oblong, IL

Carmi, OL

Indiana solar eclipse:

Evansville, IN

Terre Haute, IN

Bloomington, IN

Indianapolis, IN

Muncie, IN

Fort Wayne IN (city is outside the path of totality, residents will want to head toward St. Marys, Jefferson, Munch, Indianapolis or nearby areas.)

Ohio solar eclipse:

Dayton, OH

Springfield, OH

Jefferson, OH

Findlay, OH

Toledo, OH

Cleveland, OH

Akron OH

Cincinnati, OH (city is outside the path of totality, residents will want to head toward Dayton, Springfield or nearby areas.)

Columbus, OH (city is outside the path of totality, residents will want to head toward Paris, Dayton, Springfield or nearby areas.)

Youngstown, OH (city is outside the path of totality, residents will want to head toward Akron, Auburn, Cleveland, Meadville, PA, or nearby areas.)

Michigan solar eclipse:

Only a small patch of southeastern Michigan near the Ohio border will be in the path of totality. Detroit residents will want to head toward Toledo, OH.

Pennsylvania solar eclipse:

Erie, PA

Meadville, PA

Bloomfield, PA

New York solar eclipse:

Jamestown, NY

Buffalo, NY

Niagara Falls, NY

Rochester, NY

Geneva, NY

Syracuse, NY

Watertown, NY

Plattsburgh, NY

Vermont solar eclipse:

Burlington, VT

Enosburg Falls, VT

Barre, VT

St. Johnsbury, VT

Newport, VT

New Hampshire solar eclipse:

Colebrook, NH

Errol, OH

Maine solar eclipse:

Rangeley, ME

Jackman, ME

Troutdale, ME

Lincoln, ME

Pine Knoll, ME

Nixon, ME

Millinocket, ME

Danforth, ME

Canada solar eclipse:

Leamington, Ontario

Brantford, Ontario

Brighton, Ontario

Kingston, Ontario

Cornwall, Ontario

Montreal, Quebec

Granby, Quebec

Sherbrooke, Quebec

Saint-Georges, Quebec

Lac-Megantic, Quebec

Is it safe to view the solar eclipse?

Not without protection. Here’s what NASA advises:

“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. 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.

When watching the partial phases of the solar eclipse directly with your eyes, which happens before and after totality, you must look through safe solar viewing glasses (“eclipse glasses”) or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times. You can also use an indirect viewing method, such as a pinhole projector.​”

This article originally appeared on For The Win: 2024 solar eclipse: The best locations and cities to view the total solar eclipse