At least four eclipses occur each year, although there can be up to seven. However, the most common thing is that precisely those occur: four eclipses. That’s what will happen in 2024: two solar eclipses and two lunar eclipses.

Eclipses fascinate us because, for a few minutes, completely change the appearance of the two main stars that we see from Earthin a very different way than we see them during the rest of the year. They awaken our curiosity and admiration, perhaps because They tell us about where we are and the mysteries of the universe and life. Not to say that there are not many occasions that we have to see them. Although at least four eclipses occur each year, we will not always be able to see them from our area, or we will only partially see them.

Here you will find information about when there is a solar eclipse or lunar eclipse in 2024, what type of eclipse each will be and where they can be seen from. We will explain what happens during eclipses and other curiosities, such as why the Moon sometimes looks red during a lunar eclipse, why there is not a lunar eclipse every month or if eclipses influence people or nature.

In this video we tell you what a solar eclipse is and how many types of solar eclipse there are:

When is there an eclipse in 2024?

Eclipses never come alone: two weeks before or after an eclipse occurs another always occurs. A lunar eclipse is followed two weeks later by a solar eclipse, or vice versa. In years when there are seven eclipses, there can even be three eclipses in a row separated by two weeks each, although it is not common nor is it the case this year.

The 2024 eclipses planned are:

• March 25: Penumbral lunar eclipse
• April 8: Total Solar Eclipse
• September 18: Partial lunar eclipse
• October 2: Annular Solar Eclipse

Penumbral lunar eclipse on March 25, 2024

The first of the four eclipses in 2024 will be a penumbral lunar eclipse. To observe lunar eclipses, no special equipment is required, so simply look up at the sky and try to capture the changing hue of the Moon’s illumination.

• What will the eclipse be like: The Moon will enter the Earth’s penumbra, which will only be slightly shadowed.
• From where you can see: According to data from the National Geographic Institute, this first eclipse in March can be seen in America, western Europe and eastern Australia. In Spain it can be seen during its initial phase, but at the moment of maximum intensity of the eclipse the Moon will have already hidden behind the horizon.

As you can see in the 2024 lunar calendar, the eclipse coincides with the full Moon in March. Lunar eclipses always occur during the full moon.

Total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024

The second eclipse of 2024 arrives on April 8 and is the most anticipated of the year: a total eclipse that can be seen over a wide swath of land. This eclipse promises to be a spectacular eclipse according to experts and closes the first eclipse season of the year and arrives, as expected, fifteen after the previous lunar eclipse, now coinciding with the New moon.

• What will the eclipse be like: When the eclipse begins and as it progresses, you will see how the Moon takes a «bite» at the Sun. The «bite» will grow and the illumination of the lunar valleys will reveal the so-called Baily pearls. Near the total phase of the eclipse, these will disappear and we will see a single larger point of light, which will also disappear when the Sun is completely hidden. During this total phase, it will be «night» on Earth, in the strip of totality. Around the Moon we will see the corona of the Sun. The moment of maximum magnitude will be at 8:17 p.m. Central European Time (6:27 p.m. UTC time).
• From where you can see: The total solar eclipse on April 8 can be seen first in Mexico, then in the central United States and finally in some areas of Canada. It can be seen as partial in practically all of the rest of North America and all of Central America.

If you are in the eclipse area or are traveling to enjoy the show, you should know that, to observe this eclipse, it is very important to use eye protection equipment appropriate; You can only look directly at the sun without protection when it is completely hidden, during the totality phase of the eclipse.

Partial lunar eclipse on September 18, 2024

In September, with the last full Moon of the summer, a super blue moon that will cause a lot of talk, the third eclipse of the year and the first of the second eclipse season arrives. This is a partial lunar eclipse of the Moon that can be seen in a wide area of ​​the planet, including Spain.

• What will the eclipse be like: This is a partial lunar eclipse of low magnitude. 3.5% of the Moon will enter the Earth’s umbra and that part will darken, as if a small bite was taken. This partial phase of the eclipse will last a little more than an hour and the moment of maximum magnitude will be at 4:44 Spanish peninsular time (2:44 UTC time).
• From where you can see: The entire eclipse will be visible in North America, Europe and Africa, as well as some areas of Asia. In Spain you can see the eclipse in its entirety.

Annular solar eclipse on October 2, 2024

Fifteen days later, with the new Moon, the fourth and last eclipse of the year will arrive: an annular eclipse of the Sun. As with any solar eclipse, it should only be observed with adequate eye protection as looking at the Sun directly could cause serious damage to your eyesight.

• What will the eclipse be like: During the annular phase, the Moon, Sun and Earth will be aligned so that the Moon will obscure the Sun, but not completely. Its greater distance from the Earth than at other times in its orbit will make it look a little smaller and allow the outline of the sun to be seen, drawing a ring of light.
• From where you can see: This eclipse can be seen as annular in southern Argentina and southern Chile. The inhabitants of the Pacific and southern South America will also see it, but only partially.