San Diego residents are in for a celestial treat on April 8, 2024, as the city will experience the best view of the solar eclipse in California. While the West Coast will not witness a complete disappearance of the sun, San Diego is expected to see approximately 60 to 65% coverage of the eclipse, making it the prime location for eclipse-watchers in the state.

According to NASA, the total solar eclipse will be visible across North America, with a path starting in Texas and extending northeast through several states including Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, and New York. Unlike past years, the 2024 eclipse will be at least partially visible in all 48 contiguous states, marking a rare celestial event.

Northern California will witness around 30% visibility during the eclipse, with visibility increasing as you move south. San Francisco residents can expect about 45% coverage, while those in Los Angeles will see around 57% of the eclipse.

The total solar eclipse, occurring when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, will be visible in San Diego starting around 10:03 a.m. PDT on April 8. The peak of the eclipse, where residents can enjoy the maximum coverage, is expected at 11:11 a.m., with the event concluding by 12:23 p.m.

NASA highlights the significance of eclipses in studying the sun's outer atmosphere and discovering exoplanets around other stars. The 2024 solar eclipse falls under NASA's Heliophysics Big Year, a celebration of solar science and its impact on Earth and the solar system.

Eclipse enthusiasts are reminded to never look directly at the sun and to use special viewing glasses for safe observation. Those planning to capture the event with a camera are advised to use proper gear to avoid damage to the lens. Following the 2024 eclipse, the next one viewable from the entire U.S. will not occur until August 23, 2044.

As San Diego gears up for this extraordinary astronomical event, residents are encouraged to keep an eye on the weather forecast as cloud cover could potentially impact visibility on the day of the eclipse. Stay updated at fox5sandiego.com/weather for the latest weather updates as April 8 approaches.