DENVER — The United States is days away from its first total solar eclipse in seven years.
A total solar eclipse will occur when the moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun.
The path of the 2024 total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Certain areas, the sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk.
When is the total solar eclipse?
The total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, 2024.
Colorado will see a partial solar eclipse, roughly between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., with a max partial eclipse around 12:30 p.m.
Where will the total eclipse be visible?
All 48 contiguous states on that date will experience at least a partial solar eclipse.
The path of totality will reach communities from Texas to Maine. Durations longer than 4 minutes will stretch from Texas as far north as Economy, Indiana, according to NASA.
According to NASA, an estimated 31.6 million people live in the path of totality this year, compared to 12 million in the path of the 2017 eclipse. Totality in April's eclipse will also last longer than it did in 2017.
In 2024, the maximum totality will last up to 4 minutes, 28 seconds, in an area about 25 minutes northwest of Torreón, Mexico. The longest period of totality in 2017 was near Carbondale, Illinois, at 2 minutes, 42 seconds.
What will Colorado see during the eclipse?
Depending on where you are in Colorado, you will see a 54% to 78% solar eclipse.
The southeast corner of Colorado will see the greatest amount of totality with Springfield, Holly and Lamar seeing about 75% totality during the solar eclipse.
The northwest part of Colorado, including Grand Junction, Dinosaur, Craig and Steamboat Springs will see less than 60% totality on April 8.
Denver will reach 65% totality during the solar eclipse. The partial eclipse will begin in Denver at 11:28 a.m. and end at 1:53 p.m. with the max eclipse at 12:40 p.m. at 65% totality. The partial eclipse will last two hours, 25 minutes in Denver.
Solar eclipse totality in Colorado
- Springfield - 76%
- Lamar - 74%
- Trinidad - 72%
- La Junta - 72%
- Limon - 69%
- Alamosa - 68%
- Colorado Springs - 67%
- Denver - 65%
- Durango - 64%
- Boulder - 63%
- Greeley - 63%
- Leadville - 63%
- Fort Collins - 62%
- Grand Junction - 59%
- Steamboat Springs - 59%
Do I need to wear eclipse glasses?
For anyone who plans to view the eclipse, you must have properly certified solar glasses to do so safely.
Even though its a partial eclipse in Colorado, you still must wear properly certified solar glasses.
American Paper Optics CEO John Jerit said you should look for the International Organization for Standardization, ISO, emblem on glasses and packaging.
"The glasses are well constructed and manufactured and the lenses are tested and certified so that the lenses block out the correct amount of ultraviolet and intense visible light," said Jerit.
Jerit also said to avoid buying from foreign importers who may offer their glasses at a better cost.
There are many online resources and maps to figure out how long the eclipse will last near you. The National Solar Observatory and Eclipse2024.org offer precise timings and simulations.
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