Get Your Eclipse Glasses Ready! Domo’s Guide to the 2024 Eclipse.

When the last solar eclipse happened in 2017, my brother headed to the path of totality, where he could see the moon totally eclipse the sun. He came away with amazing stories to share.  

I stuck around in the Bay Area but still got to experience some of the wonder with crescent shadows of from the partial eclipse descending on the streets. That eclipse left me in awe, knowing there could be an even more incredible experience.  

The next solar eclipse will happen on April 8, 2024, when the path of totality stretches up from western Mexico through the Midwest into New York and eastern Canada. Luckily for me, the path catches the southeastern corner of Oklahoma, where my brother-in-law has a cabin. (It’s especially lucky as AirDNA data shows that over half of US cities under the eclipse’s path are fully booked the night of April 7.)

So, for several years, we’ve been planning this trek to observe it—and this time, I’m ready.  

I’m sharing everything I’ve learned about solar eclipses for this month’s Domo on Data blog. For me, being prepared means not only packing the right equipment—like my DSLR camera and eclipse glasses—but also understanding the context and data around eclipses. 

Whether you’re chasing totality like my crew or taking in the wonder at home, we hope you enjoy our eclipse dashboard! 

The Total Eclipse Prep Dashboard 

If you want to learn more about solar eclipses… 

If you’re like me and want to read up on the solar eclipse before it happens, these are a few of my favorite resources: 

• 5 Surprising Effects the 2024 Eclipse Will Have on Animals and Weather,from ACCUWeather. 
• Exploring Shadow Bands, from NASA. 
• It’s Coming. April 8, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse: Here’s What You Need to Know  by Smarter Every Day 295. 
• Solar Eclipses for Beginners, by Fred Espenak. 

Remember you should not look directly at the eclipse until full totality without proper precautions, like special eclipse viewing glasses. And one last disclaimer: While I’ll have my camera ready, you might consider putting your devices aside to experience the moment. Truly, it’s one of few in our lifetimes. Enjoy!