Missed the mind-blowing total solar eclipse? Don’t worry! The sky is soon to give you some other opportunities.
Total solar eclipses happen every year or two, thanks to the perfect alignment of the sun, moon, and Earth. They can occur anywhere on the planet, usually in far-flung places like the middle of the ocean. Mark your calendars for 2026, when the next full solar eclipse will dance across the northern edges of Greenland, Iceland, and Spain.
But what about the U.S.? When will we get our next dose of totality? In 2033, Alaska and Russia will get a quick glimpse, and in 2044, Greenland, western Canada, North Dakota, and Montana will be treated to the show. But if you want an eclipse as spectacular as Monday’s, you’ll have to wait until Aug. 12, 2045.
“It’s going to go coast to coast,” says Mary Urquhart, a planetary scientist at the University of Texas at Dallas. This epic event will kick off in Northern California before slicing through Utah, Colorado, and Mississippi on its way to Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Furthermore, solar eclipses aren’t the only jaw-dropping celestial events out there. You can use your eclipse glasses to spot sunspots – massive, planet-sized dark spots on the sun caused by tangled magnetic fields.
Plus, in September, a partial lunar eclipse will light up the skies over Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Don’t forget about the annual meteor showers and supermoons that will dazzle you through 2024. And if you’re really into space, head to your local planetarium or science center. The Ball State University planetarium in Muncie, Indiana, is keeping its doors open the weekend after the eclipse for themed shows and a guided sunset meditation. “People will want to come back, and want to learn more,” says director Dayna Thompson.
So, keep your eyes on the skies and get ready for more cosmic magic!
The Associated Press contributed to this article.