Missed the total solar eclipse this year? You're in for a 20-year wait for next one from US

Total solar eclipse in Cleveland, United States (Image credit: NASA's Glenn Research Center/X)

The total solar eclipse of 2024, observed by millions across North America, has left many eager skywatchers wondering when they can experience such a celestial event again. Those who missed the 2024 spectacle, cannot experience the next one anytime soon.

The total solar eclipse which started in the skies above the North America on April 8, traversed from Mexico to the United States, and then to Canada. A total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, completely blocking the face of the sun. As a result, the sky turns dark, evoking the ambiance of dawn or dusk in daytime.

According to NASA, the next total solar eclipse in the US won't occur for another 20 years. This means you will have to wait until August 2044 to witness a total solar eclipse from mainland US. However, there are still several upcoming annular or partial solar and lunar eclipses to look forward to.

On September 18, 2024, a partial lunar eclipse will occur, offering visibility across the Americas, Europe, and Africa. Then, on March 14, 2025, a total lunar eclipse will grace the skies, with visibility spanning the Pacific, Americas, Western Europe, and Western Africa.

On October 2, 2024, an annular solar eclipse is slated to occur. The geographic region of visibility for this event spans South America, with a partial eclipse visible in South America, Antarctica, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and even parts of North America.

Following this, on March 29, 2025, a partial solar eclipse will be visible across Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, and the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans.

Then, on September 21, 2025, another partial solar eclipse will unfold, visible in Australia, Antarctica, and across the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

On February 17, 2026, an annular solar eclipse will grace the skies over Antarctica, with a partial eclipse visible in Antarctica, Africa, South America, and various oceanic regions.

On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse is set to cast its shadow. This phenomenon will be visible in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and a small portion of Portugal, offering spectators a breathtaking spectacle. Additionally, a partial eclipse will be observable across Europe, Africa, North America, and various oceanic expanses.