TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Millions of people across the United States are preparing to watch April’s total solar eclipse, but if you are in Florida, you’ll only see a partial eclipse.
The only way to view the partial eclipse in Tampa is with eclipse glasses. Without the special glasses, the sun will not appear any different.
WFLA meteorologist Rebecca Barry said the sun will be most covered by the moon in Tampa at 1:25 p.m.
“Even areas with 95% maximum eclipse, it never looks any different to the naked eye, only if you travel to the path of totality,” Barry said.
If you want to see the eclipse, it is recommended that you travel to the path of totality. You can see the 2024 eclipse in parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
If you are not able to see this year’s eclipse, you’ll have to wait a while. Your next chance to watch a total solar eclipse from the contiguous United States is Aug. 23, 2044.
Florida will be in the path of totality the following year.
An eclipse map shows that Tampa residents will see the 2045 eclipse around 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 12, 2045. It will last for about five minutes.
The 2045 path of totality also includes California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Georgia.
If you don’t want to wait that long and are planning to watch the 2024 eclipse, you should follow these safety tips from NASA.
