Solar Eclipse Simulation Video Shows Sun Coverage for Each State

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A viral video shows how much of the sun will be obscured by the moon in the upcoming total solar eclipse in parts of the U.S. outside the path of totality, including how the celestial occurrence will appear in the sky.

The clip, which was posted on TikTok on March 27 and has since been viewed 38.5 million times on the platform, shows which area of each state will see the greatest amount of obscuration of the sun, and when this is likely to occur.

On Monday, the total solar eclipse—when the sun is completely blocked by the moon—will be visible for different lengths of time along a path from northern Mexico, across the Midwest and up into New England. The path of totality—the area in which it will be seen—reaches across 13 states, as well as small areas of Tennessee and Michigan.

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This is what the #solareclipse will look like in your state. Simulations are based at a location for maximum coverage in each state. Your location may vary slightly in coverage and times than the one shown.

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The Federal Highway Administration says that while around 32 million people live in the path of the total eclipse, between 1-5 million more are expected to travel to prime viewing locations to see it—raising concerns about stretched public safety resources.

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Forecasters are also predicting that cloud coverage in some areas may obscure the spectacle, which could create localized areas of traffic as visitors move to locations with better visibility.

Outside of the narrow path of totality, the eclipse will still be visible in different parts of the U.S., but the moon will only partially obscure the sun due to the particular nature of the alignment of the two celestial bodies.

According to calculations by meteorological and astronomical data compilers Time and Date, on which the video appears to be based, the areas with the greatest coverage outside the path of totality will be Detroit and Dyersburg, Tennessee, where the moon will obscure 99.46 percent and 99.18 percent of the sun, respectively.

Solar eclipse coverage map
A map showing the amount by which the moon will obscure the sun in the upcoming solar eclipse in different parts of the U.S. outside the path of totality (shaded black). The further from the... NASA

In Detroit, the maximum effect of the eclipse is due to occur around 3:14 p.m. ET, while in Dyersburg it is set to take place at 1:59 p.m. ET.

The further away from the path of totality, the slighter the partial eclipse is expected to be. Obscuration of the sun will be nearly 23 percent over Hawaii's southernmost island, while it will be just 4.56 percent in Metlakatla, southeast Alaska—the part of the state with the greatest coverage.

In Hilo, Hawaii, the maximum of the partial eclipse is predicted to occur at 7:11 a.m. HT (1:11 p.m. ET) and in Metlakatla at 10:30 a.m. AKT (2:30 p.m. ET).

A partial eclipse will also be visible in many major cities across the U.S.

According to National Eclipse, an independent solar eclipse resource, Chicago will see a 93.9 percent eclipse just after 1 p.m. ET; Boston will see a 92.5 percent eclipse just before 3:30 p.m.; and New York City will see an 89.9 percent eclipse around 3:25 p.m.

About the writer

Aleks Phillips is a Newsweek U.S. News Reporter based in London. His focus is on U.S. politics and the environment. He has covered climate change extensively, as well as healthcare and crime. Aleks joined Newsweek in 2023 from the Daily Express and previously worked for Chemist and Druggist and the Jewish Chronicle. He is a graduate of Cambridge University. Languages: English.

You can get in touch with Aleks by emailing aleks.phillips@newsweek.com.


Aleks Phillips is a Newsweek U.S. News Reporter based in London. His focus is on U.S. politics and the environment. ... Read more