ATLANTA — (Editor's note: 11Alive originally published a version of this story in February. We are republishing it now following the eclipse this week.)
The total solar eclipse this week provided a show across the country. In Atlanta, we stared to the sky while recalling the excitement of the eclipse experience that came a bit closer our way back in the summer of 2017.
But with both of these total solar eclipses, the actual path of totality didn't quite pass directly over us in Atlanta. This year, we saw a peak of about 80-85% coverage and the path of totality was about a six-hour drive away at the closest point.
As it happens the next time Georgia will find itself in the path of totality is (relatively) just around the corner -- the next one that will pass over the lower 48 U.S. states on August 12, 2045. But that will only cross over a part of southwest Georgia.
What about Atlanta itself? Will we ever be in the path of totality?
As it turns out, they can plot these things out quite a ways, and we will indeed be in the path of totality one of these days. Many, many days from now.
Photos | 2024 solar eclipse in Georgia
When will Atlanta be in the path of a total solar eclipse?
In a mere 54 years. The solar eclipse on May 11, 2078 will occur right over Atlanta.
That'll give you... plenty of time to make your plans.
If you take a look at this map for the 2078 eclipse (again, don't feel the need to rush, you have some time to come back to this matter) you can see that it will go across Mexico and move up toward Atlanta from the Gulf of Mexico, continuing on over South Carolina and eastern North Carolina.
So, there you go -- Atlanta will have its moment in the (blocked) sun. Just not for a few decades.