A total solar eclipse will move across the United States in April, the last one visible over the continental U.S. for another 20 years.
During the eclipse, the moon will cast its shadow on parts of North America as it comes between Earth and the sun, said Gina DiBraccio, the deputy director of heliophysics at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The D.C. area is not in the path of totality but will see a partial solar eclipse as the moon blocks part of the sun.
"If you have the opportunity to view this, whether it's the total eclipse or a partial eclipse in the D.C. area, you should absolutely do it because it's just a special kind of lifetime event," DiBraccio said.
As the paths of the sun and moon partially align around D.C., the sky will grow darker like dusk, winds will change and temperatures will slightly drop.
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"The last total eclipse that crossed through the U.S. in 2017, I actually went from a state of feeling comfortable to suddenly being chilly and having goosebumps," DiBraccio said.
Read below to learn when the solar eclipse is and where to see it around D.C.
When is the 2024 solar eclipse in DC?
The solar eclipse is on Monday, April 8. It'll happen in the D.C. area from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
According to the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (NOVAC), the moon will begin to move in front of the sun at 2 p.m., slowly covering more of the sun until about 3:20 p.m. It will then move off the sun until about 4:30 p.m.
Is the DC area in the path of totality?
No, the D.C. area will not see a total solar eclipse. The moon will cover about 90% of the sun’s width in the D.C. area during the solar eclipse, according to NOVAC.
In Greenbelt, Maryland, the moon will block about 86% of the sun’s light, NASA’s Goddard Visitor Center said. It will obscure 87% of the sun at its maximum in College Park, according to the University of Maryland's Department of Astronomy.
In Rosslyn, Virginia, the moon will block about 75% of the sun, the Rosslyn BID said.
Visibility of the eclipse is weather dependent.
Rewind: 2017 total solar eclipse
In August 2017, a total solar eclipse moved across the U.S. from the West Coast to the East Coast for the first time in 99 years.
It crossed in a narrow path over 14 states between Lincoln Beach, Oregon, and Charleston, South Carolina, NASA wrote on its 2017 Total Solar Eclipse page.
The D.C. area experienced a partial solar eclipse with the sun blocked from 79 to 90%, WTOP reported in 2017.
Photos from the eclipse show eyes glued to the sky in downtown D.C. and on the National Mall, with shorts-clad tourists and business casual workers donning solar eclipse glasses or using specially made viewing tools.
How to protect your eyes during a solar eclipse
Don't be like former president Donald Trump! Be sure to protect your eyes from the sun during the phases of a solar eclipse.
For safe viewing, NASA recommends the use of eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers. It's important to note that regular sunglasses are not dark enough to safely filter the bright light.
Eclipses can be briefly viewed without protection when the moon completely blocks the sun. However, since D.C. isn’t in the path of totality it is recommended to wear eye protection the entirety of the eclipse.
Here's where to find solar eclipse glasses in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
For more safety information, visit NASA's website.
When is the next solar eclipse?
The next total solar eclipse visible in the continental U.S. is August 2044, according to NASA.
Solar eclipse events in the DC area
It's totally (totality) OK to take an afternoon break from work to enjoy the sky. If you do, take a look at the list below.
If you want to experience the solar eclipse from your backyard, check out these kid-friendly solar eclipse activities from the National Air and Space Museum.
Pre-solar eclipse events near DC
Solar Eclipse Extravaganza 2024 Storytime
📅 April 6, 2 to 4 p.m.
📍 Arlington County Central Library; 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington, VA
🔗 Details
Solar Eclipse Week
📅 April 1 through April 8, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
📍 Loudoun County Law Library; 18 East Market St., Leesburg, VA
🔗 Details
Lights Out! Eclipses: Whys, Wonders and Wows
📅 April 6 and 7, various times
📍 David M. Brown Planetarium; 2110 Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA
🔗 Details
Story Time: Eclipse
📅 Tuesdays and Thursdays in April, 11 to 11:30 a.m.
📍 Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center; 14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy, Chantilly, VA
🔗 Details
DC partial solar eclipse events
Solar Eclipse Festival on the National Mall
📅 April 8, noon to 4 p.m.
📍 National Mall, D.C. between 4th and 12th streets
🔗 Details
Solar Eclipse Party @ Hedy's Rooftop
📅 April 8, 2 to 6 p.m.
📍 Hotel Zena; 1155 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.
🔗 Details
Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at Deck 11 Rooftop
📅 April 8, 2 to 4:30 p.m.
📍 YOTEL; 415 New Jersey Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.
🔗 Details
Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at Tag Rooftop Bar
📅 April 8, 1 to 4 p.m.
📍 The Ven at Embassy Row; 2015 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC
🔗 Details
Maryland partial solar eclipse events
Partial Solar Eclipse Event at the Visitor Center
📅 April 8, noon to 4 p.m.
📍 NASA Goddard Visitor Center; 9432 Greenbelt Road, Greenbelt, MD
🔗 Details
Skywatching: Partial Solar Eclipse
📅 April 8, 2 to 4:30 p.m.
📍 Observatory Park; 100 Desellum Ave., Gaithersburg, MD
🔗Details
Solar Eclipse at College Park
📅 April 8, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
📍 University of Maryland; grassy area in front of Martin Hall, College Park, MD
🔗Details
Solar Eclipse Watch Party
📅 April 8, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
📍 Maryland Science Center; 601 Light St., Baltimore, MD
🔗Details
Virginia partial solar eclipse events
Solar Eclipse Viewing
📅 April 8, 2 to 4 p.m.
📍 Gateway Park; 1300 Langston Blvd, Rosslyn, VA
🔗 Details
Solar Eclipse at Sky Meadows
📅 April 8, 1 to 4:30 p.m.
📍 Sky Meadows State Park, 11012 Edmonds Lane, Delaplane, VA
🔗 Details
Eclipse Where Sun, Moon and Wonder Align
📅 April 8, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
📍 Sweet Run State Park, 11661 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro, VA
🔗 Details
Partial Solar Eclipse Celebration Monday
📅 April 8, 2 to 4 p.m.
📍 Fairfax County Parks; Ellanor C. Lawrence Park; Burke Lake Park, VA
🔗 Details
Safely See the Partial Eclipse
📅 April 8, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
📍 Fairfax County Parks; Historic Huntley; Turner Farm Park, VA
🔗 Details
View the Total Solar Eclipse!
📅 April 8, 3 to 4 p.m.
📍 Sherwood Regional Library; 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria, VA
🔗 Details
Solar Eclipse Party!
📅 April 8, 1 to 4 p.m.
📍 Centreville Regional Library; 14200 Saint Germain Drive, Centreville, VA
🔗 Details
Partial Solar Eclipse Event
📅 April 8, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
📍 George Mason University Observatory; Research Hall, 10401 York River Road, Fairfax, VA
🔗 Details
Solar Eclipse - Watch Party
📅 April 8, 2 to 4 p.m.
📍 Settle Down Easy Brewing Co.; 2822 Fallfax Drive, Falls Church, VA
🔗Details
Where to find areas in the path of totality
Parts of 13 states, including Texas, New York, Ohio, Maine and more will be in the path of totality during the solar eclipse. Businesses around the country are planning to offer special deals and creative souvenirs, such as eclipse-themed beer.
You can also witness the spectacle from the sky on a special Delta or Southwest Airlines flight.
Go here for more places to see a total solar eclipse.
This story will be periodically updated with more solar eclipse events and details. Be sure to check back!
