(This is an archived page about the total solar eclipse that occurred on April 8, 2024. For information on future eclipses, please see our Upcoming Eclipse Maps page.)
On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will occur along a narrow path of totality in Kentucky. To experience the total phase of the eclipse, you must be located within this path. But where along the path should you plan to go? Below, we've outlined some of the unique features, landmarks, and viewing options along the path of totality for Kentucky. We've also provided a detailed map of the path of totality in Kentucky as well as totality start times and durations for Kentucky cities that are located inside the path of totality on April 8, 2024.
Remember that you must use special eclipse safety glasses or viewers at all times during the partial phases of a total solar eclipse. The NationalEclipse.com Eclipse Store offers a wide variety of certified safe eclipse glasses and viewers.
Note that times and durations can vary widely even within the same city and some cities are located only partially within the path of totality. All times and durations noted on this page are only representative samples and should be used for general comparison purposes only.
To avoid confusion, note that references made below to the "western" and "eastern" limits or lines of the eclipse refer respectively to the left/top and right/bottom edges of the eclipse path as it gradually changes its direction from north to east as it travels across the U.S.
Kentucky is sort of an oddball of the 2024 eclipse. On April 8, only the eastern line of the eclipse path makes it into the Bluegrass State. It scrapes along the northwestern edge of the state, capturing several small areas inside the path as the state line formed by the Mississippi and Ohio rivers meanders back and forth across the totality line. The western line and the centerline of the eclipse bypass the state completely.
Paducah, which was also in the path of the historic 2017 eclipse, is very close to the eastern edge of the 2024 path. It will receive only about 1 minute and 31 seconds of totality downtown, even less than what it experienced during the much shorter overall eclipse of 2017. From Paducah, drive north on Interstate 24 into Illinois to find longer durations of totality closer to the centerline. Farther along, Henderson is also close to the edge, but it fares a bit better than Paducah, with about 2 minutes and 30 seconds of totality in the downtown area. For longer durations, hop over the Ohio River and take Interstate 69 to Interstate 64, which meets up with the centerline to the west.
TOPFor the map below, the yellow line outlines the limits of the path of totality in Kentucky. The grey line shows the path of totality entering and exiting Kentucky (the western line and the centerline of the path don't enter Kentucky). To experience the total phase of the eclipse in Kentucky, you must be inside the yellow line. Areas outside the path of totality will get a partial solar eclipse only.
(hover or tap to see points of interest in Kentucky)
| City | Totality Start | Duration* |
|---|---|---|
| Paducah | 2:00:50 PM CDT | 1:31 |
| Henderson | 2:02:43 PM CDT | 2:30 |
* "Duration" refers to the duration of totality and is expressed in minutes and seconds
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