What San Diegans need to know ahead of the April 8 solar eclipse

Anna Ashcraft
·4 min read
6

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The celestial event everyone’s been talking about is almost here. Are you ready for it? If not, FOX 5/KUSI has compiled some information you need to know like when to see the event, where to best view it from, where to get free viewing glasses and even some flights you can take to see it up close.

First, type in “April 8 solar eclipse” into Google, you’ll be greeted with a solar eclipse animation. That was fun, right? Now onto what you need to know.

Total solar eclipse forecast: Will you have clear skies on April 8?

What time is the eclipse happening?

Mexico’s Pacific coast will be the first place in North America to see the total solar eclipse starting around 11:07 a.m. PDT on Monday, April 8.

Here in San Diego, we will be able to see the partial eclipse starting at 10:03 a.m. PDT Monday. The eclipse will peak at 11:11 a.m. PDT, with the entire event ending by 12:23 p.m. PDT for us in this part of the country.

2024 solar eclipse: San Diego to have best view of solar eclipse in California

Click here to view an interactive map of California for the exact time when the eclipse will begin, and what percentage of the sun will be covered in your city.

In other parts of the country, the total solar eclipse will peak at the following times, according to NASA:

  • Dallas, Texas — 1:40 p.m. CDT (11:40 a.m. PDT)

  • Russellville, Arkansas — 1:50 p.m. CDT (11:50 a.m. PDT)

  • Carbondale, Illinois — 1:59 p.m. CDT (11:59 a.m. PDT)

  • Indianapolis, Indiana — 3:06 p.m. EST (12:06 p.m. PDT)

  • Cleveland, Ohio — 3:13 p.m. EST (12:13 p.m. PDT)

  • Erie, Pennsylvania — 3:18 p.m. EDT (12:18 p.m. PDT)

  • Niagara Falls, New York — 3:20 p.m. EST (12:20 p.m. PDT)

  • Houlton, Maine — 3:32 p.m. EST (12:32 p.m. PDT)

View NASA’s interactive map of when and where the 2024 total solar eclipse can be seen in different parts of the country.

Path of totality

The total solar eclipse will be visible in 15 U.S. states, while the partial eclipse will be visible in all 49 continental states, according to NASA.

While the West Coast won’t see the sun completely disappear, us here in San Diego will see about 60 to 65% of the eclipse, making it the best place to view the solar eclipse in California.

Will you see the solar eclipse? NASA map shows ‘path of totality’ across US in 2024

The path of the 2024 total solar eclipse, as you can see in NASA’s map below, will head from Mexico’s Pacific coast north through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, ending North America’s view on the Atlantic coast off of Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. NDT.

The 2024 total solar eclipse path crosses from Mexico, through the United States from Texas to Maine, and up through Canada. (Photo Courtesy: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio)
The 2024 total solar eclipse path crosses from Mexico, through the United States from Texas to Maine, and up through Canada. (Photo Courtesy: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio)

Solar eclipse flights out of San Diego

Several airlines have announced flights to view the April 8 total solar eclipse from the sky.

Here in San Diego, Alaska Airlines is offering two chances to catch a flight out of the San Diego International Airport (SAN) while viewing the rare phenomenon from 35,000 feet in the air.

Alaska Airlines announces solar eclipse flights out of San Diego

Delta adds another eclipse flight: Which other flights will offer a view of the solar event?

Those interested in the option can board a flight from San Diego to the Boston Logan International Airport at 8:10 a.m., while the other flight heads from San Diego to the Washington Dulles International Airport, taking off at 8:05 a.m.

Where to find free viewing glasses in San Diego

Whether or not you’re in the path of totality, looking directly at the sun is a safety hazard. It not only can damage your eyes, it can also damage any camera lens pointing at it without the proper gear.

Where to get free solar eclipse glasses in San Diego

Eclipse 2024: Using the right glasses for solar viewing

In San Diego County, you can grab free eclipse viewing glasses at Warby Parker locations, San Diego Public Libraries, Sonic Drive-In, and during the Fleet Science Center’s Eclipse Viewing Party.

Video: Dr. Adam Burgasser from UCSD joins FOX 5 to talk about a solar eclipse cruise sailing from southern Mexico on Monday, April 8

Read More: UC San Diego professor to watch total solar eclipse from cruise ship

Where to catch a live stream of the total solar eclipse online

You can watch the totality right here in San Diego, with a live feed of the solar eclipse at the Fleet Science Center’s Heikoff Giant Dome Theater from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. on April 8.

Spots to watch solar eclipse in San Diego County

NASA is live streaming the entire event from 1 to 4 p.m. (EDT) on April 8. Join NASA as the total solar eclipse moves across North America, with live views from across the path, expert commentary, live demos, and more. Watch online here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.