2024 Total Solar Eclipse: Why you’ll never see it again | About That

On April 8, a total solar eclipse is set to pass through parts of Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Andrew Chang explains what makes a total eclipse so special, and why this is likely the only one you will ever experience.

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[dennisc]

I experienced totality in 2017 in my back yard in the middle of my granddaughter's 3rd birthday party. I'm never gonna top that one.

[kendebusk]

I am already making my plans. I've figured out where the combination of closest to me and maximum totality timing is about 125 miles from me so I'm going. I've invited a few friends to ride along but no one except me seems to be excited about it. I'm 71 yrs old so my odds of seeing another one are next to zero. Let me repeat myself: I'M GOING!!!

[Bob_Mahan]

Drove 1000 miles to experience totality in 2017, and doing it again next month.

[CannonRushed]

For anyone on the fence, it's really hard to put into words what a total eclipse is like. The difference between totality and 90% is quite literally night and day. Do yourself a favor and go if you can. As close as you can to seeing the universe wink at you.

[jamesfrederick]

I watched the 2017 eclipse and will stand on the exact same spot for the 2024 eclipse. Lucky me.

[gk.spinoza]

I was 11 years old when the last total solar eclipse occured over Canada. Every window of my Southern Ontario public school was prepared for safely viewing the eclipse, and every child was given viewing glasses.
I vaguely recall being told that we were quite fortunate because the next time this "once in a lifetime" would occur over Canada was 2024, a lifetime away, far into the future of my fellow grade school children's lives.
It's hard to believe that it's less than half a month away.

[Philip-]

I'd add 2 things to what this video mentions. If you view it from an elevated position, you actually might see the moon's shadow traveling across the land at thousands of miles per hour. Also, look out for evening birds that will suddenly fill the skies in search of mosquitos and other insects that normally appear at dusk. The dramatic temperature drop is also quite eerie.

[zachariasbalslev]

I have witnessed a total solar eclipse once.
I am from Denmark, so if I wanted to experience it here in my country, I would have to wait until year 2142. Ain´t gonna happen.
But in 2019, I had a rare chance to experience one.
* It was in July (the month where we have our summer holiday)
* It was passing through the Atacama Desert (A place in Chile, where you can be sure not to have clouds)
* It was a total solar eclipse. Not an annullar one.
And so, I was able to travel, prepare myself, and experience it. The probability of a total solar eclipse happening in one of my holidays while going through a deserted area is so small. I was lucky!

[Phoenix-vgli]

I’m gonna be in Niagara Falls, riding my dirtbike on trails for the eclipse. It’s gonna be epic.

[techcafe]

I once witnessed a breathtaking lunar eclipse (when the moon moves into earth's shadow) in Montreal. In eclipse, the moon suddenly took on a jaw-dropping 3D dimensionality I had never seen before. It left me with tears in my eyes, it was like I was seeing the moon for the first time, like a giant ball floating in space, in full 3D, hanging above our heads.

[ccramit]

Drove 5.5 hours to see it. Drove another 10 hours back due to traffic. But it was worth every second of it. I have never experienced anything so....galactic in my entire life. I've seen a few lunar eclipses, but a total solar eclipse was otherworldly.

[RedCanyonWolf]

I thought clouds were gonna obscure the 2017 eclipse in Idaho and about 40 minutes before totality… the sky cleared!

[suphommy]

Fact: A total solar eclipse is far less common than a total eclipse of the heart

[capt.Justin]

I am fortunate enough to have witnessed three total solar eclipses and tomorrow will be my fourth

[Bsquaredplus]

Saw the 2017 eclipse totality, and it's like nothing I've ever experienced before or since. It was almost spiritual to experience

[VandalayIndustries]

I must have missed the part where he explained why I'll never see it again

[jeffsaxton]

I was near the point of max totality in 2017. At 73, I'll feel fortunate to see one more!

[v.e.]

I've been lucky enough to have seen three eclipses in my lifetime.

[Zsokorad]

"In theory you could see dozens of them in your lifetime, but you won't."
**interviews Eclipse Chaser who has seen 17 total solar eclipses**

[JustWastedHoursHere]

I wish I could go back in time and see the effect eclipses had on people who had no idea what was going on.