‘Map of Nope’: Visualizing the Reach of the April 8, 2024 Solar Eclipse

As anticipation builds for the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, a stark reality emerges for many Americans—they won’t witness the event in its entirety. While the celestial spectacle will traverse Mexico, the United States, and Canada, only a narrow strip will experience the total eclipse, leaving much of the country with partial phases.

Eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler’s ‘Map of Nope’ humorously illustrates this divide, featuring a slender diagonal strip representing areas where the total eclipse will occur. Outside this zone, scattered “Nope” and “Nada” words emphasize the absence of the full eclipse experience. Despite being near the path, areas experiencing a 99% partial eclipse will miss out on the total eclipse phenomenon entirely.

Dr. Kate Russo, who coined the meme’s name, emphasizes the map’s simplicity in conveying a critical message: only those within the path of totality will witness the complete solar eclipse. This path stretches over 10,000 miles but is merely 115 miles wide, covering parts of 15 US states.

While millions of Americans eagerly await the celestial event, only those residing within the narrow path—spanning from Texas to Maine—will be treated to the awe-inspiring sight of a completely darkened sky as the Moon obscures the Sun. For others, the ‘Map of Nope’ serves as a reminder of the importance of location in celestial events, highlighting the need to travel to fully experience nature’s breathtaking displays.