Solar Eclipse Path Map
Follow the Moon's moving shadow across Earth, compare the full totality or annularity corridor, and calculate what a selected location sees.
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Solar eclipse path calculator
Where will a solar eclipse be visible?
A solar eclipse is visible only where the Moon's moving shadow reaches Earth while the Sun is above the horizon. The broad gray footprint shows the partial eclipse at the selected minute. The narrow corridor combines the complete path of totality or annularity from first to last central contact.
How to read the solar eclipse map
- Gray marks the Moon's penumbral shadow at the selected time.
- Amber marks every place reached by the umbra or antumbra.
- The center line and UTC labels show how the shadow moves.
- Click either Earth view to calculate a local eclipse.
Total, annular, and partial
Inside the umbra, the Moon completely covers the Sun and the eclipse is total. If the Moon appears slightly smaller, the antumbra produces an annular ring. The much wider penumbra produces a partial eclipse.
One physical model in 2D and 3D
Astronomy Engine supplies Earth-fixed Sun and Moon positions. The tool constructs the penumbral and central shadow cones, intersects them with a spherical Earth, and calculates apparent disk overlap at your chosen point. NASA's greatest-eclipse coordinates and path widths are used as regression checks. The simplified model does not include local terrain, atmospheric refraction, weather, or the Moon's irregular limb profile.
Sources: NASA GSFC Solar Eclipses · Astronomy Engine.
Compare solar and lunar eclipse maps
Solar eclipse path map FAQ
What does a solar eclipse path map show?
The broad partial-eclipse footprint shows where the Moon covers any part of the Sun at one selected time. The much narrower central path combines every place reached by the Moon's umbra or antumbra during the full event.
Why is the path of totality so narrow?
The Moon's dark umbra is only a few hundred kilometres wide where it meets Earth. The lighter penumbra spreads across a much larger region, so many more places see a partial eclipse than a total one.
What is the difference between total and annular solar eclipses?
A total eclipse occurs where the Moon appears large enough to cover the Sun completely. During an annular eclipse the Moon appears slightly smaller, leaving a bright ring around it even on the center line.
How accurate is this solar eclipse simulator?
Astronomy Engine supplies the Sun and Moon ephemerides, while NASA GSFC values validate the greatest-eclipse point and path width. The map uses a spherical Earth and does not model lunar-limb mountains, local terrain, atmospheric refraction, or weather, so it is an educational global planner rather than a survey-grade local circumstances service.
Can I look at a solar eclipse without eclipse glasses?
No. Use certified solar viewers whenever any bright part of the Sun is visible. Ordinary sunglasses are not safe. Only during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, and only from inside the path of totality, can viewers look without filters.
Eclipse predictions by Fred Espenak, NASA's GSFC. Live geometry uses Astronomy Engine and a spherical Earth; local weather, terrain, refraction, and lunar-limb topography are not included. Earth texture © Solar System Scope, CC BY 4.0.