A total solar eclipse 2024 is set to captivate sky-watchers across North America on Monday, promising a rare spectacle of nature.

This highly anticipated event will unfold over Mexico, 15 US states, and parts of eastern Canada, providing millions with the chance to observe the moon's passage in front of the sun, creating a brief eclipse by momentarily obstructing sunlight, NBC News noted.

Solar Eclipse 2024 Path of Totality and Major Cities in Its Path

The eclipse will follow a path of totality stretching over 100 miles wide, traversing across Mexico and then entering the United States through Texas.

It will proceed northeastward, spanning 13 states before reaching its endpoint in Maine, with a continuation into Canada, according to USA Today.

Notable cities along this path include San Antonio, Austin, Indianapolis, Rochester, and Syracuse.

For those eager to experience totality, here are the anticipated times for major cities in the United States:

Dallas, Texas: 1:40-1:44 PM CDT

Idabel, Oklahoma: 1:45-1:49 PM CDT

Little Rock, Arkansas: 1:51-1:54 PM CDT

Poplar Bluff, Missouri: 1:56-2:00 PM CDT

Paducah, Kentucky: 2-2:02 PM CDT

Carbondale, Illinois: 1:59-2:03 PM CDT

Evansville, Indiana: 2:02-2:05 PM CDT

Cleveland, Ohio: 3:13-3:17 PM EDT

Erie, Pennsylvania: 3:16-3:20 PM EDT

Buffalo, New York: 3:18-3:22 PM EDT

Burlington, Vermont: 3:26-3:29 PM EDT

Lancaster, New Hampshire: 3:27-3:30 PM EDT

Caribou, Maine: 3:32-3:34 PM EDT

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Rare Celestial Phenomenon and Excitement Builds

Astronomy enthusiasts are buzzing with anticipation, with some experts dubbing this event "the greatest solar eclipse across the US in our lifetime," meteorologist Kevin Jeanes said, NBC Chicago reports.

Despite a similar event occurring in 2017, this eclipse is deemed rare due to its path of totality covering significant regions of the United States once more, including Carbondale, Illinois, and offering near totality for the Chicago area.

Michelle Nichols, overseeing public observation programs at the Adler Planetarium, emphasized the uniqueness of this eclipse, highlighting that future events may not match the extent of coverage seen this time.

Adding to the excitement, Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, colloquially known as the "devil comet," is currently visible in the night sky, potentially providing an additional celestial spectacle for eager stargazers.

As the solar eclipse approaches, anticipation continues to mount, with enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the opportunity to witness this rare celestial event, possibly making it one of the most-watched solar eclipses in history.

The continental United States anticipates its next total solar eclipse in 2044, spanning North and South Dakota, followed by another in 2045 across the central and southeastern US, except Illinois and Indiana.

Annular eclipses are forecasted for Illinois in 2048 and 2093, lacking the sun's full coverage for naked-eye viewing.

NASA predicts Illinois' next total eclipse on September 14, 2099, visible in northeastern parts and extending into Wisconsin.

On May 1, 2079, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston await a total solar eclipse, promising a stunning display, as per NASA's projections.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: 2024 Eclipse: What to expect, from the awe-inspiring to the "very strange" - From CBS Sunday Morning