Best time to watch the solar eclipse in Modesto? Here’s when to look up

Sarah Linn

April 6, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.·2 min read

Modesto will be witness to a rare astronomical event on Monday: a partial solar eclipse.

The moon will fully block the sun as it passes over a significant swatch of Mexico, the United States and Canada, according to NASA.

“It will be the last total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States until 2044,” NASA said, although only some areas will see the full eclipse.

Mexico’s Pacific Coast will be the first location in North America to see a total solar eclipse, at 11 a.m. Monday.

The path of totality will then sweep up the United states, traveling through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

The eclipse will end in Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. local time — or 12:46 p.m. Pacific Time.

Modesto Junior College student Gabriela Diaz watches the eclipse through a solar filter on the college’s west campus on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Modesto. A partial solar eclipse can be seen in California on Monday, April 8, 2024.

When can I see the solar eclipse in Modesto?

Parts of the United States will get to see a total solar eclipse on Monday, while many California spots will get a partial view.

Modesto will experience a partial total eclipse of about 36.8%, according to an interactive map by National Solar Observatory.

The moon will cover a sliver of the sun starting at 10:14 a.m., reaching maximum effect at 11:14 a.m.

It’ll leave the sun and end the partial eclipse around 12:18 p.m.

Check out our graphic for the best time to see the eclipse in Modesto.

Where are eclipse viewing sites in Stanislaus County?

The Modesto Children’s Museum, along with Sutter Health, has set up designated viewing sites across the region for Monday’s eclipse.

The events will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, according to a museum news release.

Several Stanislaus County libraries make up the bulk of the viewing locations. Here’s a list of the sites:

Modesto Library, 1500 I St.
Gallo Center for the Arts Rotary Garden, 1000 I St., Modesto
Denair Library, 4801 Kersey Road
Keyes Library, 5506 Jennie Ave.
Newman Library, 1305 Kern St.
Oakdale Library, 151 S. First St.
Patterson Library, 46 North Salado Ave.
Riverbank Library, 3442 Santa Fe St.
Salida Library, 4835 Sisk Road
Turlock Library: 550 Minaret Ave.

For more information, visit modestochildrensmuseum.org/eclipse.

What do you want to know about life in Modesto? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@modbee.com.

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When can I see the solar eclipse in Modesto?

Where are eclipse viewing sites in Stanislaus County?

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