Celestial countdown: US next total solar eclipse is 19 years away

Following the spectacle of total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, which captivated millions across the US, Mexico, and Canada. The long wait is here for sky watchers as the next total solar eclipse is not going to return to US skies for another 19 years.

On August 22, 2044, the contiguous US will experience another dazzling solar eclipse up to 2 minutes 4 seconds. But the path of totality will only be visible in the US, Greenland, and northern Canada.

Key facts about 19 years away solar eclipse

• In the year 2044, a total solar eclipse will occur and feature a wide path of totality stretching 281 miles. The eclipse will begin at sunrise in northwest Greenland and move across Canada’s Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
• Among all the states, only the sky watchers hailing from two states can witness the totality of the solar eclipse. These states include North Dakota and Montana.
• When it comes to Canada, one can observe the totality only from two places including Jasper National Park and Banff National Park. In the US, Medicine Rocks State Park and Glacier National Park are in the path of totality.
• According to Timeanddate, about 5.5 million live within the path of totality for 2044 total solar eclipse.

Beyond the contiguous US, the continental US will experience a solar eclipse even before 2044. In Alaska, the solar eclipse will occur on March 30, 2033. The time duration of totality will be around 2 minutes and 37 seconds during the peak time of Northern Lights in Alaska. Places where totality can be observed include Barrow, Kotzebue, Nome, and St. Lawrence Island.

Future total solar eclipses in the US

• March 30, 2033: Alaska (2 minutes 37 seconds)
• Aug. 22, 2044: Montana and North Dakota (2 minutes 4 seconds)
• Aug. 12, 2045: California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida (6 minutes 6 seconds)
• March 30, 2052: Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina (4 minutes 8 seconds)
• May 11, 2078: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina (5 minutes 40 seconds)
• May 1, 2079: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine (2 minutes 55 seconds)