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The 2024 total solar eclipse is fast-approaching—and it’s not the kind of thing you want to miss. The first total solar eclipse you could see from the U.S. happened just seven years ago, and the next one won’t come until August 2044. Unless you want to wait a full two decades to witness the moon blocking the sun, you need to act fast—and stock up on what you need for the 2024 solar eclipse as soon as you can.
To see the April 2024 solar eclipse, all you really need is a pair of solar eclipse glasses. But to celebrate the solar eclipse, you need so much more. Solar eclipses signify major changes and important truths, bringing clarity in times of indecision and shaking things up when life feels stagnant. Solar eclipses are also fun to look at—the perfect excuse to throw a party, gather with friends, or raise a glass.
Your solar eclipse survival guide isn’t really about getting through the solar eclipse, but about making the most of it. Take full advantage of the opportunity to switch things up, recenter, and have a little fun. After all, you won’t get another eclipse quite like this one for 20 more years.
What is a total solar eclipse?
When the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, it casts a shadow over the sun—either partially or fully blocking its light. This happens twice a year. But solar eclipses can look completely different, depending on where you’re standing and where the sun, moon, and Earth are orbiting.
There are four kinds of solar eclipses:
- Partial solar eclipse: The moon partially covers the sun, making it look like a crescent. This is the most common type of solar eclipse—we’ve had 77 since 2000.
- Total solar eclipse: The moon fully covers the sun, completely blocking its light. There have been 68 total solar eclipses since 2000. But until now, only one has been visible from the U.S.
- Annular solar eclipse: The moon covers the sun—but because it’s so far away from Earth, it looks smaller than the sun. This creates a black circle (the moon) with a “ring of fire” (the sun) behind it. There have been 73 annular solar eclipses since 2000, but none have been visible in the U.S.
- Hybrid solar eclipses: The Earth’s curved surface causes an eclipse to look like a total solar eclipse and an annular solar eclipse, depending on where the moon is in its orbit. Unsurprisingly, this is the rarest form of eclipse—with only seven hybrid eclipses since 2000 and none visible in the U.S. since 1930.
Monday’s solar eclipse is a total solar eclipse—one of the rarest kinds of eclipses you can see. As the moon completely covers the sun, the sky will darken, and the eclipse will look like a big black circle with luminescent rays around it.
When is the 2024 solar eclipse?
The next solar eclipse will take place on Monday, April 8 at 2:07 p.m. ET. Depending on where you are, the total solar eclipse could last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. And for hours before and after the total solar eclipse, you should be able to see a partial solar eclipse—if you’re in the right spot and the sky is clear.
Where can you see the 2024 solar eclipse?
The eclipse will be visible across North America, but some places will get a better view than others. If you’re in the path of totality—where the total solar eclipse will be fully visible—you’ll see the moon completely cover the sun if you look at the right time. The path of totality includes U.S. cities like Dallas, Cleveland, and Buffalo, arcing up from Texas through Maine.
If you’re not in the path of totality, don’t fret. The total solar eclipse will look a little different for you, but you’ll still be able to see it. When the moon covers the sun, the sky will darken—but a sliver of the sun may be visible. This NASA eclipse map shows what the solar eclipse will look like at different times of day in different places, so you can plan exactly when to head outside and have a look.
What do you need for the 2024 solar eclipse?
If you want to see the 2024 solar eclipse, solar eclipse glasses are a must. Staring at the sun is inadvisable, and you don’t want to ruin a good day by damaging your eyes!
But if you want to make the most of the solar eclipse—by celebrating with friends, getting recentered, or commemorating the occasion—there’s plenty to stock up on. There’s bubbly to pop , sage to smudge , journal pages to fill , and snacks to scarf down . There are also tons of solar eclipse souvenirs that capture the moment and celebrate how cool space really is.
Solar Eclipse Glasses
If there’s only one thing you buy for the 2024 total solar eclipse, let it be a pair of solar eclipse glasses. Looking at the sun isn’t safe without them—even when it’s mostly covered by the moon. The best solar eclipse glasses meet the ISO 12312-2 standard, making them much darker than traditional sunglasses. There are also ways to upgrade your solar eclipse viewing experience, like with a telescope or a special photo filter for your camera.
Lunt Solar Systems Eclipse Glasses
This solar eclipse glasses set comes with five pairs—perfect for you and your friends or family. They’re ISO-certified, so they pass NASA’s test for solar eclipse viewing suitability.
VisiSolar Smartphone Solar Imaging Lens
This camera filter will help you get the perfect picture of the 2024 total solar eclipse. It’ll make your camera more precise, but it won’t protect your eyes—so be sure to wear your solar eclipse glasses.
SVBONY Solar Eclipse Telescope
On Sale -40% off
Upgrade your solar eclipse viewing experience by trading your glasses for a full-blown solar eclipse telescope . This one is equipped with a solar filter that meets the ISO standard NASA looks for.Champagne
Champagne is the best way to celebrate any occasion—including the 2024 total solar eclipse. If you’re stepping outside to watch the eclipse with friends, treat everyone to a glass of bubbly. Snag celestial Champagne flutes for all your friends, or keep things simple with festive paper cups .
Veuve Clicquot Champagne
You can never go wrong with Champagne, and Veuve Cliquot is one of the most classic options around. It’s priced like a treat, but not a splurge—perfect for a mid-Monday celebration.
Twine Starlight Stemless Champagne Glasses
These stemless Champagne flutes are covered with metallic gold stars—a nod to the 2024 total solar eclipse that doesn’t feel too on-the-nose. Keep them for New Year’s Eve, or send your friends home with them as post-eclipse souvenirs.
Moon Star Paper Cups
Sipping from these paper cups —which are black and adorned with stars and moons—seems like a perfect way to celebrate the solar eclipse. They come eight to a pack and also make great vessels for snacks.Journal
Solar eclipses are great opportunities for reflection. They happen twice a year—a perfect cadence for checking in. And astrologically, they often bring changes and clarity. Take a moment to consider where you are and what you want. Instead of making rash decisions, grab a journal and a pen , and invite your mind to work through anything that’s been bothering you.
Artfan Dotted Journal
This journal features a sun with a moon inside it—a fitting tribute to the 2024 solar eclipse. It also comes in two dozen colors and patterns, so if you prefer a different look, you can easily find one.
Kaco Gel Pens
These gel pens are decorated with flowers and moons. (The moon pen is our favorite for obvious reasons.) Two write in black ink, while the pink one writes in coral, so you can get creative with your doodles, notes, and thoughts.Sage
Spring cleaning season is in full swing, and the 2024 solar eclipse offers yet another excuse to get rid of anything that no longer serves you. In astrology, solar eclipses often follow periods of stagnancy and indecision—and this one is taking place in Aries, a sign all about action, energy, and independence. So take out the trash, haul those old clothes to the donation bin, and smudge some sage to cleanse your space. Or simply light a candle , and enjoy the smell.
Ancient Vega White Sage
These smudging sticks are made of white sage, carnations, and daisies—a combination that looks lovely and smells even better. Each set comes with three 4-inch smudging sticks, but you can score longer sticks and different quantities too.
White Sage Incense Sticks
These incense sticks smell like white sage—a great alternative to more traditional smudging bundles. They’re also available in over two dozen fragrances. So if sage isn’t your thing, you can easily find a scent you’re more excited to light.
April 8 Birthdate Candle
You don’t have to be an eclipse baby to get this celestial April Eighth candle , which smells like cedarwood, rosemary, mint, and geraniums. The candle burns for 60-80 hours, and its vessel is incredibly pretty—so it can double as an eclipse souvenir once you’re done burning it.Snacks
Whether you’re watching the solar eclipse with friends or viewing it by yourself, you’ll want some comfort food at your side. Total solar eclipses are kind of a big deal. They can make you feel awestruck, excited, and analytical—sometimes all at once. Treat yourself to a couple of your favorite bites , and share them with anyone tuning into the atmosphere at the same time you are.
Moon Cheese Oh My Gouda Cheese Bites
Fans of salty snacks will love these Moon Cheese cheese bites , which taste just like gouda. This set comes with three snack-sized bags—perfect for sharing with friends or enjoying solo. And with a name liked Moon Cheese, they’re the perfect thing to eat during a solar eclipse.
Premium Caramel Apple Lollipops
The solar eclipse may not be a comet, but these freeze-dried snacks still feel appropriate for a space-themed gathering. The mini-lollipops taste like caramel apples, and they’re delightfully crunchy—more like cereal than candy.
Double Decker MoonPies
MoonPies may be the quintessential solar eclipse snack. (SunChips are a solid competitor.) While the solar eclipse puts all the focus on the sun, the moon is the reason the whole thing happens. Plus, with their round shape and chocolate coating, MoonPies look a little like total solar eclipses.Meditation Essentials
Meditating is one of the best things you can do during a solar eclipse. It’s great for grounding, focus, and reflection—all valuable during the big shake-ups and unsettled energy an eclipse can bring. Whip out your yoga mat , grab your favorite bolster , and indulge in a scented eye pillow. Start with an intention—or don’t—and give your mind a moment to rest.
Gaiam Yoga Mat
At 5 millimeters thick, this Gaiam yoga mat feels plush and supportive—perfect for yoga and meditation. Its non-slip texture makes it great for grounding, and it comes in over a dozen colors.
Retrospec Sedona Zafu Meditation Cushion
Sitting on a bolster can make meditating more comfortable, and this Retrospec meditation cushion is the perfect thickness to make you feel supported and stable. The cushion comes in several colors and has an adjustable center, so you can customize how firm and full it feels.
Lavender-Scented Satin Eye Pillow
A scented eye pillow can make any meditation session feel like a luxury. This one is made of smooth satin and filled with lavender, and you can microwave it to make it even more soothing.Thought Starters
Self-reflection is great, but sometimes it’s hard to get started. Often, the questions someone else poses reveal more than the things we ask ourselves. Whether you’re celebrating the eclipse alone or with others, a box of thought starters can get the ball rolling. Whip out your tarot cards , and do some quick card pulls or readings. Or grab a box of prepackaged questions , and let them guide the way.
Pink Tarot Cards Deck
On Sale 16% off
This pink tarot card deck gives you everything you need to start reading tarot. It includes a full set of tarot cards pretty enough to double as decor, plus a handy instruction guide that’ll help you start reading tarot.
The Hygge Game
This box of cozy questions feels just right for a solar eclipse. The energy’s already unsettled—why stir things up more than you need to? The questions feel more like icebreakers than anything, but they can still prompt plenty of thought and reflection.Bath Supplies
Hot baths are both grounding and cleansing—a perfect combination for a solar eclipse. But instead of just running the water like you normally do, make your solar eclipse bath feel special and ceremonial. Light a candle, use a bath soak , or squeeze a few drops of essential oil into the top. Top a bath caddy with your favorite indulgences—a glass of wine, a cup of tea, or a tablet with your favorite TV show.
Sen Yi Bao Luxury Bathtub Caddy
On Sale 9% off
This extendable bath caddy will keep all your favorites within reach every time you bathe. It has five handy compartments for holding washcloths, wine glasses, and more—plus a tilting rest you can use to prop up a tablet or a phone.
Hemlock Park Coconut Milk Bath Soak
This bath soak is made of coconut milk, pressed oats, flower petals, and several kinds of salt—a truly luxurious combination. It smells like oceans and orchids, but comes in several other fragrances, like lavender, yuzu citrus, and blood orange sage.Souvenirs
Commemorate the 2024 total solar eclipse with a souvenir that captures the moment in all its glory. Wear a necklace that looks like a solar eclipse, stock up on friendship bracelets to hand out as party favors, or iron a commemorative patch onto your favorite jacket. Solar eclipses are cool things to see and experience—and great reminders that letting go is a key part of making space for what you want.
Solar Eclipse Pendant Necklace
On Sale 20% off
This pendant necklace mimics the look of a total solar eclipse: a dark circle, surrounded by a ring of fire. It’s made of silver and available with gold or black gold plating, and you can customize the length of the chain so it sits just right.Solar Eclipse 2024 Friendship Bracelet
This cute friendship bracelet has black and gold beads, number beads that say “2024,” and a charm that looks just like a total solar eclipse. Snag one for yourself, or buy a few and share them with friends. (They are friendship bracelets, after all.)2024 Eclipse Patch
This vintage-style patch features a map of North America and the eclipse’s path of totality. It’s cute, understated, and great for jackets, backpacks, or caps—a truly perfect way to capture the moment.
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