EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS:
A total solar eclipse comes to North America on April 8. It will enter over Mexico’s Pacific coast, dashing across the U.S. from Texas to Maine before exiting over eastern Canada into the Atlantic.
The peak spectacle will last up to 4 minutes, 28 seconds in the path of total darkness — a 115-mile-wide path that slices across the continent. That’s the place to be to experience the full eclipse — most of the rest of the continent outside the path of totality will get a partial eclipse.
___
READ AP’S STORIES
Countdown begins for April’s total solar eclipse: What to know about watch parties and safe viewing
Where will you be for the April 8 total solar eclipse? There’s still time to grab a spot
___
AP COVERAGE PLANS
___
WHAT IS A TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE
During a total solar eclipse, the moon lines up perfectly between the Earth and the sun, blotting out the sunlight. On April 8, the moon’s shadow will slice a diagonal line from the southwest to the northeast across North America, briefly plunging communities along the track into darkness.
North America won’t experience totality again until 2033, but only in Alaska. The next isn’t until 2044, when totality will be confined to Western Canada, Montana and North Dakota. There won’t be another U.S. eclipse, spanning coast to coast, until 2045.
___
WHICH STATES WILL GET A FULL ECLIPSE
The path of total darkness — the path of totality — crosses 15 states.
The key ones are:
Texas
Oklahoma
Arkansas
Missouri
Illinois
Kentucky
Indiana
Ohio
Pennsylvania
New York
Vermont
New Hampshire
Maine
— Tennessee and Michigan just get a small slice. The rest of the lower 48 states will see a partial eclipse. The farther from the path of totality, the smaller the moon’s bite will be out of the sun.
___
FIND YOUR CITY ON ECLIPSE MAPS
These sites provide detailed maps and other information about the eclipse:
NASA – citizen science opportunities
___
CONSIDER THESE REPORTING THREADS
— Are there any special events? Check with local officials, visitor bureaus and the chamber of commerce. Many science and art museums are holding watch parties, as well as parks and universities.
— What will the weather be like? Check with National Weather Service or local meteorologists on the forecast for eclipse day, the closer the better.
— Concerns about traffic? Ask local police and first responders to see if they have made contingency plans, especially for handling traffic after the eclipse.
— Are businesses taking part? Local wineries, breweries, restaurants and campgrounds may be holding watch parties. Music festivals are also planned for the long weekend.
— Where can you get eclipse glasses? Some libraries and business are giving them out for free. Check to see who is selling them in your area. Some events are distributing glasses to attendees.
— What are schools doing? Some schools have decided to close that day, others may be taking advantage of the eclipse for science lessons.
— For astronomy sources, ask your local science museum, university or astronomy club.
— Are there any science projects in your area? Some zoos will be watching animals react. Some groups are using volunteers to help with science projects during the eclipse, like the DEB Initiative.
— Looking for people traveling to see the eclipse? Check out the many Facebook eclipse groups.
___
READ AND WATCH MORE FROM AP
AP PHOTOS: Total solar eclipses through the decades
VIDEO: Safety first: How to watch April’s total solar eclipse that will cut across North America
VIDEO: What you can expect to experience during April’s total solar eclipse
ANIMATION: A map of April 2024’s total solar eclipse
___
Localize It is an occasional feature produced by The Associated Press for its customers’ use. Questions can be directed to Katie Oyan at koyan@ap.org