When was the last eclipse in the United States?

When Was the Last Eclipse in the United States?

Recent Eclipse Goodness

Well, mark your calendars, because the most recent total solar eclipse that wowed the US happened on April 8, 2024. Seriously, millions of people were glued to the sky as the path of totality made its way from Texas all the way up to the Northeast. If you were lucky enough to be in that path, you know what I’m talking about – a truly unforgettable sight!

But hey, that’s not all! Before the 2024 total eclipse, we got a taste of another kind of eclipse magic: an annular solar eclipse on October 14, 2023. This one, sometimes called a “ring of fire” eclipse, was visible across several states, and let me tell you, it was pretty darn cool to see that bright ring around the moon.

And don’t forget the partial solar eclipse on March 29, 2025! Okay, so maybe you had to be way up in the northeastern corner of the US to catch it, but still, it counts!

Total Solar Eclipses: The Main Event

Now, total solar eclipses… those are the real showstoppers. Why? Because that’s when you get to see the sun’s corona, that wispy, ethereal outer atmosphere that’s normally hidden by the sun’s intense brightness. It’s like the sun is giving you a secret peek! Before the big one in April 2024, we had the “Great American Eclipse” on August 21, 2017. That was a big deal because it was the first total solar eclipse since 1918 to only hit the United States. I remember everyone talking about it, making plans to drive to the path of totality. And for good reason! Fourteen states, from Oregon to South Carolina, got to experience that incredible moment when day turned into night.

Before 2017? You’d have to go all the way back to February 26, 1979, for the last total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous US. But even then, only folks in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and North Dakota got the best view.

When’s the Next One?

Alright, so you missed the last one, or maybe you’re just greedy for more eclipse action? I get it! Depending on where you are, you might not have to wait too long. We’ve got a total lunar eclipse coming up on September 7, 2025. But for another total solar eclipse, Alaskans are going to be the lucky ones in 2033. As for the rest of us in the lower 48, mark your calendars for August 22, 2044, and August 12, 2045. The 2044 eclipse will give Montana and North Dakota a thrill, while the 2045 eclipse will sweep across the country from California to Florida. Talk about a coast-to-coast spectacle!

Final Thoughts

Eclipses are just plain awesome. They remind us that the universe is a dynamic, ever-changing place. So, while we bask in the memory of the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse, let’s keep our eyes peeled for those upcoming partial and lunar eclipses. And, of course, let’s start planning our road trips for 2033, 2044 and 2045! The sky’s the limit, folks!