The April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse crossed Mexico, the United States and Canada, but totality—the brief period when the Moon completely covered the Sun’s bright face—was visible only along a narrow path. NASA’s images reveal the event from several vantage points: on the ground, from an aircraft and from orbit.
What did the 2024 total solar eclipse look like?
There was no single view of the eclipse. On the ground, observers saw the Sun disappear during totality; from orbit, the striking feature was the Moon’s shadow moving across Earth. NASA’s retrospective pairs these perspectives with a composite that shows the eclipse’s progression.
Dallas: the eclipse from the ground
NASA’s April 12, 2024 retrospective, “The April 8 Total Solar Eclipse: Through the Eyes of NASA”, includes a Dallas ground-level view and a composite made from multiple exposures. The composite traces the changing appearance of totality rather than depicting one single exposure.
Earth from orbit: the Moon’s shadow
The same retrospective includes images of Earth captured by the EPIC camera aboard the DSCOVR spacecraft. These are views of the eclipse’s effect on Earth—the Moon’s shadow—not photographs of the eclipsed Sun as seen by an observer on the ground.
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- 2023 ANNULAR AND 2024 TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSES - On October 14th 2023, an annular eclipse (when the sun forms a ring around the moon) will cross the United States from Oregon to Texas. We will then experience a once-in-a-generation Total Solar Eclipse on April 8th 2024 - the only USA total eclipse until August 23rd, 2044. You will be amazed as the moon completely blocks the sun during Totality, which lasts but mere minutes. Soluna Glasses are what you need to safely view both of these eclipses.
From NASA’s WB-57 aircraft
NASA’s WB-57 aircraft also provided an aerial perspective. Set beside the ground and orbital images, these views show how the vantage point changes what an eclipse photograph records.
Where was the 2024 eclipse visible?
The eclipse crossed Mexico, the United States and Canada. Totality was confined to a narrow path, while a partial eclipse could be seen across a much wider region. A location outside the path of totality did not experience the brief darkness caused by the Moon completely covering the Sun.
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- Meets Industry Standards - Our CE and ISO certified safe shades for direct sun viewing are made while adhering to stringent safety and quality regulations set by the American Astronomical Society.
- A Comfy Fit - These certified sunglasses for eclipse are suitable for teens and adults. Featuring crease lines on both sides, these optical quality safe shades may be worn over prescription glasses.
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NASA’s 2024 eclipse gallery includes credited examples from Dallas and Kerrville. Its captions identify the scene and provide image credits; consult those captions when viewing the images so each photograph retains its location and attribution.
How to read the pictures
These images document different things, so they are best understood by viewpoint and method rather than treated as interchangeable shots of one scene.
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- Solar eclipse glasses Approved 2024, Safe Solar Observation - These certified safe shades are designed for direct solar viewing. Our solar eclipse glasses are perfect for observing eclipses, sunspots, and planetary transits.
- Meets Industry Standards - Our CE and ISO certified safe shades for direct sun viewing are made while adhering to stringent safety and quality regulations set by the American Astronomical Society.
- A Comfy Fit - These certified sunglasses for eclipse are suitable for teens and adults. Featuring crease lines on both sides, these optical quality safe shades may be worn over prescription glasses.
- Filters Out Harmful Light - View eclipses safely with our paper glasses. Our solar viewers use solar safe filter technology, which helps shield your eyes from IR, UV, and 99.9999% of visible light.
- Excellent Value - Each pack contains 10 non-polarized solar eclipse glasses for viewing the sun. Share them with friends and loved ones so you can all enjoy viewing solar eclipses in complete safety.
- Ground photographs show the eclipsed Sun and, in some frames, the surroundings or people watching.
- Composites combine multiple exposures to show progression. They do not represent one moment in a single exposure.
- Orbital images show the Moon’s shadow on Earth, captured by an instrument such as DSCOVR’s EPIC camera.
- Aircraft views offer an aerial research perspective from NASA’s WB-57 aircraft.
How do I photograph a solar eclipse safely?
NASA warns: “Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.” Read NASA’s Total Solar Eclipse Safety guidance before observing or photographing the Sun.
Quick Recap
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- TRUSTED BY MILLIONS - Soluna Glasses are made in the USA by NASA-approved manufacturer American Paper Optics, and are recognized as ISO-compliant by the American Astronomical Society. Join the millions of eclipse chasers that trusted Soluna Eclipse Glasses for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse.
- CE AND ISO CERTIFIED FOR DIRECT SUN VIEWING - Our eclipse glasses have been independently tested and verified by ICS Laboratories under the most current standard ISO 12312-2:2015(E) for filters for direct observation of the sun. You can watch the total solar eclipse with absolute confidence in your eye safety.
- OPTIMIZED DESIGN - Soluna Glasses feature scratch-resistant Silver Polymer lens material with an optical density of 5 or greater. Our glasses filter 100% of harmful ultra-violet, 100% of harmful infrared, and 99.999% of intense visible light, offering both unparalleled safety and comfort for the best viewing experience.
- A COMFORTABLE FIT - These certified eclipse glasses are designed for teens and adults, featuring convenient crease lines on both sides for an easy, secure fit.
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- 2026 Total Solar Eclipse: The solar eclipse starting on August 12, 2026. This is an essential accessory for you to prepare for observation. It can produce a clear outline and image of the sun without causing any damage to the eyes. It can reduce ultraviolet, infrared and The hazards of strong light, so you can observe the upcoming total solar eclipse with confidence.
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- Looking directly at the sun can be dangerous if proper precautions are not taken. Viewing the sun without a proper filter can cause permanent eye damage. Adequate eye protection designed specifically for viewing the sun is crucial and should be taken seriously.
- Strictly follow the instructions for use: Ensuring that there are no risks during the observation process requires our joint efforts with you. Please cooperate and watch this magnificent astronomical spectacle together, because once missed, the next one will be decades away, which is very rare.
- During partial phases, use eclipse glasses or a safe handheld solar viewer for direct viewing.
- For a camera, binoculars or telescope, use a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics. Eclipse glasses are not camera filters, and a camera’s viewfinder is not safe to look through without properly filtered optics.
- Remove eye protection for direct viewing only during totality, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s bright face. Put it back on as soon as totality ends.
- NASA does not approve any particular brand of solar viewer. Choose equipment appropriate to the optics and follow expert safety guidance.
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