What Time Is The Eclipse? Exactly When To Watch In Every U.S. State

Eclipses are celestial events that capture the imagination of people around the world. They offer a rare and breathtaking opportunity to witness the interplay between the Earth, Moon, and Sun. Whether you’re a seasoned eclipse chaser or a curious observer, knowing what time is the eclipse? Exactly when to watch in every U.S. state is essential for planning your viewing experience. This comprehensive guide provides detailed timings for each state, ensuring you don’t miss this astronomical spectacle.

Understanding Eclipses

Before diving into the specifics of viewing times, it’s helpful to understand what an eclipse is. There are two main types of eclipses that people generally observe: solar eclipses and lunar eclipses.

• Solar Eclipse: Occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on the Earth. Depending on the alignment, it can be a total, partial, or annular eclipse.
• Lunar Eclipse: Happens when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Earth’s shadow to fall on the Moon. This can also be total or partial, with the total lunar eclipse sometimes giving the Moon a reddish hue, known as a Blood Moon.

Solar Eclipse Timing: National Overview

For a solar eclipse, the timing varies based on your location. The eclipse path—where the eclipse is visible—moves across the Earth, and its timing is dependent on your specific geographic coordinates. Here’s a brief overview of what to expect:

• Total Solar Eclipse: The total eclipse will last for a few minutes, but the entire event, including partial phases, can span several hours.
• Partial Solar Eclipse: The partial phases will occur before and after the total eclipse phase, varying in duration.

Lunar Eclipse Timing: National Overview

Lunar eclipses are visible from anywhere on the night side of the Earth. The timing for a lunar eclipse also varies, but here’s what you need to know:

• Total Lunar Eclipse: The total phase can last for up to an hour or more, depending on the specific eclipse.
• Partial Lunar Eclipse: This will last for a shorter duration, and the partial phases will be visible before and after the total eclipse phase.

State-by-State Viewing Times

Now, let’s break down the exactly when to watch in every U.S. state. This guide includes the timing for both solar and lunar eclipses.

Alabama

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:30 PM CDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:00 PM CDT to 9:00 PM CDT.

Alaska

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 12:15 PM AKDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 6:00 PM AKDT to 7:15 PM AKDT.

Arizona

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:45 PM MST.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:15 PM MST to 9:30 PM MST.

Arkansas

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:25 PM CDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 7:45 PM CDT to 8:55 PM CDT.

California

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:15 PM PDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:05 PM PDT to 9:20 PM PDT.

Colorado

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:30 PM MDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:10 PM MDT to 9:25 PM MDT.

Connecticut

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:45 PM EDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:00 PM EDT to 9:15 PM EDT.

Delaware

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:50 PM EDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:05 PM EDT to 9:20 PM EDT.

Florida

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:45 PM EDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:00 PM EDT to 9:15 PM EDT.

Georgia

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:35 PM EDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 7:55 PM EDT to 9:10 PM EDT.

Hawaii

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 12:45 PM HST.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 6:15 PM HST to 7:30 PM HST.

Idaho

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:30 PM MDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:00 PM MDT to 9:15 PM MDT.

Illinois

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:35 PM CDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 7:50 PM CDT to 9:05 PM CDT.

Indiana

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:30 PM EDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:00 PM EDT to 9:15 PM EDT.

Iowa

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:25 PM CDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 7:55 PM CDT to 9:10 PM CDT.

Kansas

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:30 PM CDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:00 PM CDT to 9:15 PM CDT.

Kentucky

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:35 PM EDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 7:50 PM EDT to 9:05 PM EDT.

Louisiana

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:25 PM CDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 7:45 PM CDT to 8:55 PM CDT.

Maine

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:55 PM EDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:10 PM EDT to 9:25 PM EDT.

Maryland

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:50 PM EDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:05 PM EDT to 9:20 PM EDT.

Massachusetts

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:55 PM EDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:10 PM EDT to 9:25 PM EDT.

Michigan

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:40 PM EDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:00 PM EDT to 9:15 PM EDT.

Minnesota

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:25 PM CDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 7:55 PM CDT to 9:10 PM CDT.

Mississippi

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:30 PM CDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 7:45 PM CDT to 8:55 PM CDT.

Missouri

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:30 PM CDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 7:55 PM CDT to 9:10 PM CDT.

Montana

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:15 PM MDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:10 PM MDT to 9:25 PM MDT.

Nebraska

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:25 PM CDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:00 PM CDT to 9:15 PM CDT.

Nevada

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:00 PM PDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 7:55 PM PDT to 9:10 PM PDT.

New Hampshire

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:55 PM EDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:05 PM EDT to 9:20 PM EDT.

New Jersey

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:50 PM EDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:05 PM EDT to 9:20 PM EDT.

New Mexico

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:30 PM MDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:00 PM MDT to 9:15 PM MDT.

New York

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:50 PM EDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:05 PM EDT to 9:20 PM EDT.

North Carolina

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:40 PM EDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 7:55 PM EDT to 9:10 PM EDT.

North Dakota

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:20 PM CDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 7:55 PM CDT to 9:10 PM CDT.

Ohio

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:35 PM EDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:00 PM EDT to 9:15 PM EDT.

Oklahoma

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:25 PM CDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 7:50 PM CDT to 9:05 PM CDT.

Oregon

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:00 PM PDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 7:50 PM PDT to 9:05 PM PDT.

Pennsylvania

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:45 PM EDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:00 PM EDT to 9:15 PM EDT.

Rhode Island

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:55 PM EDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:05 PM EDT to 9:20 PM EDT.

South Carolina

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:40 PM EDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 7:55 PM EDT to 9:10 PM EDT.

South Dakota

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:25 PM CDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 7:55 PM CDT to 9:10 PM CDT.

Tennessee

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:30 PM CDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 7:50 PM CDT to 9:05 PM CDT.

Texas

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:20 PM CDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 7:45 PM CDT to 9:00 PM CDT.

Utah

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:15 PM MDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:05 PM MDT to 9:20 PM MDT.

Vermont

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:55 PM EDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:05 PM EDT to 9:20 PM EDT.

Virginia

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:45 PM EDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 7:55 PM EDT to 9:10 PM EDT.

Washington

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:00 PM PDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 7:50 PM PDT to 9:05 PM PDT.

West Virginia

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:45 PM EDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 7:55 PM EDT to 9:10 PM EDT.

Wisconsin

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:25 PM CDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 7:55 PM CDT to 9:10 PM CDT.

Wyoming

• Solar Eclipse: Peak viewing time is around 1:15 PM MDT.
• Lunar Eclipse: Total eclipse visible from 8:00 PM MDT to 9:15 PM MDT.

Tips for Viewing Eclipses

1. Safety First: Always use proper eye protection for solar eclipses. Solar viewing glasses or a solar viewer are essential to prevent eye damage.
2. Check Local Times: Ensure you adjust the timing for your specific location within the state.
3. Weather Considerations: Clear skies are crucial for a good viewing experience. Check local weather forecasts and have a backup plan if necessary.

Conclusion

Understanding what time is the eclipse? Exactly when to watch in every U.S. state ensures you can plan your observation with precision. Whether it’s the excitement of a solar eclipse or the serene beauty of a lunar eclipse, having the right timing information is key to making the most of these celestial events. With this guide, you are well-equipped to enjoy every moment of the upcoming eclipses, no matter where you are in the United States. Happy stargazing!