• A composite of seven photographs showing the movement of the moon during the total solar eclipse as seen from Bloomington, Indiana. AFP
    A composite of seven photographs showing the movement of the moon during the total solar eclipse as seen from Bloomington, Indiana. AFP
  • A woman looks through a viewing device at the eclipse on the observation deck of Edge at Hudson Yards in New York. Reuters
    A woman looks through a viewing device at the eclipse on the observation deck of Edge at Hudson Yards in New York. Reuters
  • Members of the Cincinnati Reds use special glasses as they watch the solar eclipse before a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers in Cincinnati, Ohio. AP
    Members of the Cincinnati Reds use special glasses as they watch the solar eclipse before a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers in Cincinnati, Ohio. AP
  • Restaurant workers in Manhattan take a break to view the solar eclipse in New York City. AP
    Restaurant workers in Manhattan take a break to view the solar eclipse in New York City. AP
  • The Moon eclipses the Sun during a total solar eclipse as seen in Bloomington, Indiana. AFP
    The Moon eclipses the Sun during a total solar eclipse as seen in Bloomington, Indiana. AFP
  • Visitors watch the eclipse move into totality in Bloomington. Bloomberg
    Visitors watch the eclipse move into totality in Bloomington. Bloomberg
  • Solar prominences during the eclipse as seen from Dallas, Texas. Photo: NASA
    Solar prominences during the eclipse as seen from Dallas, Texas. Photo: NASA
  • A statue of George Washington has been prepared for the eclipse in Houlton. Getty Images / AFP
    A statue of George Washington has been prepared for the eclipse in Houlton. Getty Images / AFP
  • The solar eclipse, as seen from Niagara Falls State Park in New York. AFP
    The solar eclipse, as seen from Niagara Falls State Park in New York. AFP
  • The sky darkens at Niagara Falls State Park. AFP
    The sky darkens at Niagara Falls State Park. AFP
  • A woman watches the total solar eclipse outside the Exploratorium in San Francisco, California. AP
    A woman watches the total solar eclipse outside the Exploratorium in San Francisco, California. AP
  • An aeroplane flies past the total solar eclipse as seen from the Hoosier Cosmic Celebration at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana. Reuters
    An aeroplane flies past the total solar eclipse as seen from the Hoosier Cosmic Celebration at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana. Reuters
  • Spectators use special glasses to watch the solar eclipse near Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. AP
    Spectators use special glasses to watch the solar eclipse near Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. AP
  • The diamond ring effect as well as Bailey's Beads are seen as the Moon eclipses the Sun in Fort Worth, Texas. Getty Images / AFP
    The diamond ring effect as well as Bailey's Beads are seen as the Moon eclipses the Sun in Fort Worth, Texas. Getty Images / AFP
  • A man sets up his telescope ahead of the eclipse in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The Canadian Press / AP
    A man sets up his telescope ahead of the eclipse in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The Canadian Press / AP
  • A woman looks skyward at the Edge at Hudson Yards observation deck in New York City. AFP
    A woman looks skyward at the Edge at Hudson Yards observation deck in New York City. AFP
  • The total solar eclipse as seen from Eagle Pass, Texas. Reuters
    The total solar eclipse as seen from Eagle Pass, Texas. Reuters
  • Sun spots seen during the beginning phase of the total solar eclipse in Arlington, Texas. AP
    Sun spots seen during the beginning phase of the total solar eclipse in Arlington, Texas. AP
  • A man and his daughter view the Sun through a telescope ahead of a solar eclipse at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana. AP
    A man and his daughter view the Sun through a telescope ahead of a solar eclipse at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana. AP
  • A Guinness World Record adjudicator poses with some of the 309 participants of the largest group of people dressed as the sun before the total solar eclipse in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Reuters
    A Guinness World Record adjudicator poses with some of the 309 participants of the largest group of people dressed as the sun before the total solar eclipse in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Reuters
  • People gather at Niagara Falls State Park to view the eclipse in New York. AFP
    People gather at Niagara Falls State Park to view the eclipse in New York. AFP
  • A rainbow forms over Niagara Falls as people wait for the solar eclipse. Reuters
    A rainbow forms over Niagara Falls as people wait for the solar eclipse. Reuters
  • A sign near Niagara Falls warns drivers about the solar eclipse. Getty Images / AFP
    A sign near Niagara Falls warns drivers about the solar eclipse. Getty Images / AFP
  • A partial solar eclipse as seen from Mazatlan, Mexico. Reuters
    A partial solar eclipse as seen from Mazatlan, Mexico. Reuters
  • An amateur astronomer prepares a telescope in Mazatlan. AP
    An amateur astronomer prepares a telescope in Mazatlan. AP
  • A visitor adds a pin to a map displaying where eclipse seekers are visiting from in Russellville, Arkansas. Getty Images / AFP
    A visitor adds a pin to a map displaying where eclipse seekers are visiting from in Russellville, Arkansas. Getty Images / AFP
  • A dog gets in on eclipse preparations in Russellville. Getty Images / AFP
    A dog gets in on eclipse preparations in Russellville. Getty Images / AFP
  • People dressed as aliens walk through the main square in Houlton, Maine, ahead of the eclipse. Getty Images / AFP
    People dressed as aliens walk through the main square in Houlton, Maine, ahead of the eclipse. Getty Images / AFP
  • Children eat ice cream in the village of Makanda, Illinois, ahead of the eclipse. Reuters
    Children eat ice cream in the village of Makanda, Illinois, ahead of the eclipse. Reuters
  • A sign in Fredericksburg, Texas, reminds parents and pupils that school is closed for the solar eclipse. Getty Images / AFP
    A sign in Fredericksburg, Texas, reminds parents and pupils that school is closed for the solar eclipse. Getty Images / AFP
  • People assemble to view the total solar eclipse in Eagle Pass, Texas. Reuters
    People assemble to view the total solar eclipse in Eagle Pass, Texas. Reuters
  • Viewing sunglasses displayed for sale in Bloomington, Indiana. Bloomberg
    Viewing sunglasses displayed for sale in Bloomington, Indiana. Bloomberg
  • A couple from Dallas prepare to view the eclipse near Ennis, Texas. AP
    A couple from Dallas prepare to view the eclipse near Ennis, Texas. AP

Total solar eclipse 2024: What time, where and how to watch it


  • English
  • Arabic

Look up on April 8: a solar eclipse is coming to North America.

The celestial phenomenon is expected to be visible from Mexico's Pacific coast before skies darken over Texas and 14 other US states. It will then wrap up over parts of north-eastern Canada.

Here, The National tells you all you need to know about the rare event:

What is a total solar eclipse?

An eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, entirely covering the Sun's face along a small path across our planet's surface.

This is called the “path of totality”.

The daytime sky turns dark, akin to dusk or dawn. Birds start to roost and nocturnal animals have been known to wake up, tricked into believing night has arrived.

In places on the path of totality, people will be able to view the Sun's corona – its outer atmosphere – that typically is not visible due to solar brightness.

People observing from outside the path of totality will see a partial eclipse in which the Moon obscures most of the Sun's face but not all of it.

What's the eclipse path?

According to Nasa, the eclipse will begin over the South Pacific, with its path reaching Mexico's Pacific coast at about 11.07am local time before entering the US through Texas.

Its path then takes it through another 14 states: Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, a tiny part of Tennessee, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, a small part of Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

The path then enters Canada through Ontario and journeys through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton, exiting continental North America on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland at 5.16pm local time.

A partial eclipse is due to be visible for people in all 48 contiguous US states, Reuters reported.

What are the best spots to see the eclipse?

Major cities and their metropolitan areas lay within or near the path of totality, making many densely populated areas some of the best spots to view the eclipse.

These include San Antonio, Austin, Waco, Fort Worth and Dallas in Texas; St Louis in Missouri; Detroit in Michigan; Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse in New York; and Toronto and Montreal in Canada.

How long will the eclipse last?

The full eclipse will last longer than usual because the Moon will be 360,000km from Earth, one of the year’s closest approaches. The closer the Moon is to Earth, the bigger it appears in the sky from our perspective, resulting in an especially long and intense period of Sun-blocked darkness.

Totality will last the longest over Mexico at 4 minutes, 28 seconds.

Elsewhere along the track, such as in Syracuse, New York, totality will last only 90 seconds.

How can you safely watch an eclipse?

Experts warn it is unsafe to look directly at the bright Sun without using specialised eye protection designed for solar viewing. Viewing an eclipse through a camera lens, binoculars or telescope without making use of a special-purpose solar filter can cause severe eye injury.

They advise using safe solar-viewing glasses or a safe hand-held solar viewer, noting that regular sunglasses are not safe for watching the event. The only moment it is considered safe for people to remove eye protection during a total solar eclipse is the brief time when the Moon completely blocks the Sun's surface.

Will there be a comet during the eclipse? Will other planets be visible?

During totality, some people may be able to spot a comet along with four planets: Jupiter will be to the left of the Sun and Venus to the right, and then Saturn and Mars will be to the right of Venus. Three other planets will be in the vicinity but virtually impossible to see with the naked eye.

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is swinging past Earth, as it does every 71 years. It will be near Jupiter during the eclipse.

“There is lots to see and not that long a time,” Anita Cochran of the University of Texas at Austin told AP.

When was the last total solar eclipse in the US?

  • Tourists using a handmade protective viewing filter sheet to watch the partial solar eclipse, at the Phoenician ruins, in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon. AP
    Tourists using a handmade protective viewing filter sheet to watch the partial solar eclipse, at the Phoenician ruins, in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon. AP
  • A man using handmade protective viewing to watch the eclipse in Tyre. AP
    A man using handmade protective viewing to watch the eclipse in Tyre. AP
  • A camel herder is silhouetted against a partial solar eclipse in Pushkar, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. AP
    A camel herder is silhouetted against a partial solar eclipse in Pushkar, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. AP
  • People gather at the Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre in Mushrif Park to watch the partial solar eclipse. Antonie Robertson/The National
    People gather at the Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre in Mushrif Park to watch the partial solar eclipse. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • An elderly woman looks through a welding filter during a partial solar eclipse in Bucharest, Romania. AP
    An elderly woman looks through a welding filter during a partial solar eclipse in Bucharest, Romania. AP
  • People watch a partial solar eclipse in Mumbai, India. AP
    People watch a partial solar eclipse in Mumbai, India. AP
  • A partial solar eclipse over a Christian church in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan. Reuters
    A partial solar eclipse over a Christian church in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan. Reuters
  • A view of the partial solar eclipse behind the pods of a Ferris wheel at an amusement park in Dohuk in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region. AFP
    A view of the partial solar eclipse behind the pods of a Ferris wheel at an amusement park in Dohuk in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region. AFP
  • A view of the partial solar eclipse visible behind a bird on a tree in Istanbul. AFP
    A view of the partial solar eclipse visible behind a bird on a tree in Istanbul. AFP
  • A partial solar eclipse as seen from Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre in Dubai. EPA
    A partial solar eclipse as seen from Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre in Dubai. EPA
  • The partial solar eclipse is framed by youngsters jumping on a trampoline in the outskirts of Lahore, Pakistan. AP
    The partial solar eclipse is framed by youngsters jumping on a trampoline in the outskirts of Lahore, Pakistan. AP
  • A partial solar eclipse as seen in Moscow. EPA
    A partial solar eclipse as seen in Moscow. EPA
  • People wear protective glasses to observe the celestial event in Kuwait city. EPA
    People wear protective glasses to observe the celestial event in Kuwait city. EPA
  • A statue of goddess Minerva is backdropped by the sun during a partial solar eclipse in Bucharest. AP
    A statue of goddess Minerva is backdropped by the sun during a partial solar eclipse in Bucharest. AP
  • A fragment of a monument to Soviet World War Two commander Marshal Georgy Zhukov is pictured during a partial solar eclipse in central Moscow. Reuters
    A fragment of a monument to Soviet World War Two commander Marshal Georgy Zhukov is pictured during a partial solar eclipse in central Moscow. Reuters
  • Pigeons fly past a partial solar eclipse in Ahmedabad. AP
    Pigeons fly past a partial solar eclipse in Ahmedabad. AP
  • A partial solar eclipse behind the centuries-old Raghunath Hindu temple in Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir. AP
    A partial solar eclipse behind the centuries-old Raghunath Hindu temple in Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir. AP
  • People are silhouetted against a partial solar eclipse seen from Kathmandu, Nepal. AP
    People are silhouetted against a partial solar eclipse seen from Kathmandu, Nepal. AP
  • A partial solar eclipse as seen in the Tatra Mountains, southern Poland. EPA
    A partial solar eclipse as seen in the Tatra Mountains, southern Poland. EPA
  • The celestial event in Hede-Bazouges, western France. AFP
    The celestial event in Hede-Bazouges, western France. AFP
  • A partial solar eclipse in Huddersfield, England. EPA
    A partial solar eclipse in Huddersfield, England. EPA
  • The Moon partially obscuring the Sun as seen from Gaza city. AFP
    The Moon partially obscuring the Sun as seen from Gaza city. AFP
  • A partial solar eclipse is visible over Cullercoats Watch House in North Shields, England. AP
    A partial solar eclipse is visible over Cullercoats Watch House in North Shields, England. AP
  • A partial solar eclipse is pictured in Malmoe, Sweden. AFP
    A partial solar eclipse is pictured in Malmoe, Sweden. AFP
  • Men use X-ray images as filters to view a partial solar eclipse visible from Gaza city. AFP
    Men use X-ray images as filters to view a partial solar eclipse visible from Gaza city. AFP
  • A statue on top of the Bernini's colonnade is pictured during a partial solar eclipse in St Peter's Square at the Vatican. Reuters
    A statue on top of the Bernini's colonnade is pictured during a partial solar eclipse in St Peter's Square at the Vatican. Reuters
  • The Moon passing in front of the Sun during a partial eclipse viewed through glass from a welding visor at the Kelpies near Falkirk, Scotland. PA
    The Moon passing in front of the Sun during a partial eclipse viewed through glass from a welding visor at the Kelpies near Falkirk, Scotland. PA
  • A cameraman records a partial solar eclipse near Travnik, Bosnia. AP Photo
    A cameraman records a partial solar eclipse near Travnik, Bosnia. AP Photo
  • People gather at the Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre in Mushrif Park to watch the event. Antonie Robertson / The National
    People gather at the Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre in Mushrif Park to watch the event. Antonie Robertson / The National

The US has not experienced a total solar eclipse since August 2017.

A “ring of fire” solar eclipse crossed a part of the country in October.

When is the next solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse will not be until 2026, when it will graze the North, touching Greenland, Iceland and Spain.

The next one in 2027 will march across Spain and northern Africa, with totality lasting 6.5 minutes.

North Americans will have to wait until 2033 for another total solar eclipse but it will be limited to Alaska. In 2044, western Canada, Montana and North Dakota will have front-row seats. And in 2045, the US will once again experience a coast-to-coast total solar eclipse.

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Bio

Born in Dibba, Sharjah in 1972.
He is the eldest among 11 brothers and sisters.
He was educated in Sharjah schools and is a graduate of UAE University in Al Ain.
He has written poetry for 30 years and has had work published in local newspapers.
He likes all kinds of adventure movies that relate to his work.
His dream is a safe and preserved environment for all humankind. 
His favourite book is The Quran, and 'Maze of Innovation and Creativity', written by his brother.

Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas

Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa

Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong

Rating: 3/5

The specs

Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 582bhp

Torque: 730Nm

Price: Dh649,000

On sale: now  

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Brief scores

Barcelona 2

Pique 36', Alena 87'

Villarreal 0

Army of the Dead

Director: Zack Snyder

Stars: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera

Three stars

AGL AWARDS

Golden Ball - best Emirati player: Khalfan Mubarak (Al Jazira)
Golden Ball - best foreign player: Igor Coronado (Sharjah)
Golden Glove - best goalkeeper: Adel Al Hosani (Sharjah)
Best Coach - the leader: Abdulaziz Al Anbari (Sharjah)
Fans' Player of the Year: Driss Fetouhi (Dibba)
Golden Boy - best young player: Ali Saleh (Al Wasl)
Best Fans of the Year: Sharjah
Goal of the Year: Michael Ortega (Baniyas)

The National in Davos

We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.

Updated: April 08, 2024, 7:55 PM