Eclipse Chasers Flock to Mexico for Longest Time of Totality in North America on April 8th 2024

MEXICO ECLIPSE MERCH AVAILABLE ON AMAZON: https://rebrand.ly/MexicoEclipse2024Show more

Paul Maley grew up in Texas at the height of the Space Age of the 1960s, often looking skyward. He was mesmerized by solar eclipses, including one he photographed as a young teen, its image projected on a lawn chair.

Over the years, an interest in eclipses took him far beyond any Texas backyard.

Today, the 76-year-old is among America’s most prolific eclipse chasers. He has followed them across the globe in 42 countries including Indonesia, Peru, Turkey and Saudi Arabia – taking him to remote villages, sandy deserts and even the icy shores of Antarctica.

On April 8, the retired NASA contractor aims to notch his 84th eclipse – and 30th total eclipse – while floating in the Pacific Ocean on a ship somewhere west of Mazatlan, Mexico.

“I look at every solar eclipse that I can possibly get to,” he said.

For die-hard eclipse chasers, the Holy Grail is a total eclipse – and in the path of totality, this year’s best destination is in central and western Mexico. That’s because the area around Mazatlan, Durango and Torreon provides the likeliest chance of clear skies and the longest period of darkness before the shadow arcs northeast through 13 U.S. states, from Texas to Maine, its shadow sweeping across the land at 1,500 mph.

MEXICO ECLIPSE MERCH AVAILABLE ON AMAZON: https://rebrand.ly/MexicoEclipse2024