What is the total solar eclipse on April 8th and how can you see it?

"The event is a whole-body experience."
By Mark Stetson , Mark Kaufman , and Elisha Sauers  on 
Total Solar Eclipse
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Thinking about space for too long can be scary and overwhelming. Are we alone? Will we ever be able to live on another planet? Will black holes destroy the universe one day? What should you do if you ever encounter an alien? Don’t worry, our curious science producer will do all the excessive thinking for you, and teach you a thing or two in the process. With the help of experts, our producer will deep dive into all the interesting things that happen, have happened, and will happen in space.


Just seven years ago, Americans emptied their homes for a chance to witness a total solar eclipse, an astronomical event hailed as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Back then, you might have heard this was the first to cut across the United States from coast to coast in a century — and it was. But lately, you might have heard there's another total solar eclipse coming. Slicing through North America on April 8, 2024, the total solar eclipse will be on display over a swath of North America, allowing an estimated 31 million people a chance to step outside and see the sun's corona.

Topics NASA

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Mark Kaufman

Mark is an award-winning journalist and the science editor at Mashable. After working as a ranger with the National Park Service, he started a reporting career after seeing the extraordinary value in educating people about the happenings on Earth, and beyond.

He's descended 2,500 feet into the ocean depths in search of the sixgill shark, ventured into the halls of top R&D laboratories, and interviewed some of the most fascinating scientists in the world.

You can reach Mark at [email protected].

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Elisha Sauers

Elisha Sauers writes about space for Mashable, taking deep dives into NASA's moon and Mars missions, chatting up astronauts and history-making discoverers, and jetting above the clouds. Through 17 years of reporting, she's covered a variety of topics, including health, business, and government, with a penchant for public records requests. She previously worked for The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Virginia, and The Capital in Annapolis, Maryland. Her work has earned numerous state awards, including the Virginia Press Association's top honor, Best in Show, and national recognition for narrative storytelling. For each year she has covered space, Sauers has won National Headliner Awards, including first place for her Sex in Space series. Send space tips and story ideas to [email protected] or text 443-684-2489. Follow her on X at @elishasauers.


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