History of Solar eclipse of April 8, 2024 in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 4, 2024

The solar eclipse of April 8, 2024, also known as the Great North American Eclipse, was a total solar eclipse visible across parts of North America, from Mexico to Canada, and crossing the contiguous United States. A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, obscuring the Sun. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight. Totality is visible only in a limited path across Earth's surface, while a partial solar eclipse can be seen over a larger surrounding region.

2017: Mixed Reactions of Zoo Animals to the 2017 Eclipse

In 2017, researchers observed that not all zoo animals reacted to the eclipse. At the Riverbanks Zoo in South Carolina, behavior changes were noted in about 75% of species. Adam Hartstone-Rose suggested that reacting animals may have been influenced by human emotions. Parc Safari in Quebec reported minimal changes in animal behavior, with some hyenas vocalizing and lions either roaring or sleeping. Continued analyses of these observations are ongoing.

2017: Animal Reactions to the 2017 Eclipse

In 2017, various zoo animals exhibited unique behaviors during the eclipse. At the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, ostriches returned to their barn and performed evening rituals, while elephants gathered and thumped their trunks. Flamingos at the Fort Worth Zoo in Texas bunched together and began marching, and gorillas appeared confused by the change in light. Butterflies at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden ceased flying and remained still. Giraffes at the Dallas Zoo galloped, and lions at the Buffalo Zoo started roaring. This date highlights the varied responses of animals to the solar eclipse of 2017.

October 14, 2023: Path Intersection of Two Solar Eclipses in 2023 and 2024

On October 14, 2023, an annular solar eclipse occurred, and its path intersected with the path of the upcoming April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse near San Antonio, Texas. This unique intersection of eclipse paths highlights a rare astronomical event.

2023: Projected Economic Impact of the 2024 Eclipse

In 2023, it was projected that the total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024, could boost the US economy by $6 billion. The Mayor of Rochester, New York, anticipated $10–12 million in economic benefits for the city from the days leading up to the eclipse. New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced record-breaking tourism numbers between April 6-9, 2023, with nearly one million visitors to New York State parks and over 5.5 million toll transactions recorded.

February 2024: Preemptive State of Emergency Declarations for the 2024 Eclipse

In February 2024, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Bell County, Texas Judge David Blackburn declared states of emergency in anticipation of transportation difficulties due to the expected influx of visitors for the April 8 solar eclipse. Niagara Falls, Ontario, also declared a state of emergency, projecting at least one million visitors. These measures were taken to manage the anticipated impact on local infrastructure and public safety.

April 8, 2024: Total Solar Eclipse

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse, known as the Great North American Eclipse, occurred. This astronomical event was visible across parts of North America, from Mexico to Canada, and crossed the contiguous United States. During a total solar eclipse, the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, blocking all direct sunlight in a narrow path across Earth's surface.

April 9, 2024: Partial Eclipse Observed in Various Regions

On April 9, 2024, a partial eclipse was seen in regions like Hawaii, eastern Kiribati, Tokelau, American Samoa, the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, and the Pitcairn Islands. In Kiribati and Tokelau, the local time of the eclipse was also April 9, 2024, due to their time zones (UTC+13 or UTC+14).

October 2, 2024: Annular Solar Eclipse

On October 2, 2024, an annular solar eclipse was observed. This type of eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is smaller than the Sun's, causing the Sun to look like a ring (an annulus). The path of annularity crossed over Chile and Argentina.