5 of the Longest, Shortest, and Most Historically Important Solar Eclipses Ever Recorded

1. 3340 B.C.E., Ireland: The Oldest Eclipse On Record (Maybe)

Some believe the oldest recorded solar eclipse might have been witnessed in Ireland around 3340 B.C.E. Evidence comes from petroglyphs at the Loughcrew Megalithic Monument in County Meath. However, the meaning of these carvings remains debated. Another clay tablet found in Ugarit, Syria, suggests an eclipse occurred in 1223 B.C.E., but this date has since been revised.

2. 743 B.C.E., Central Africa: The Longest Eclipse

The longest solar eclipse in recorded history took place in Central Africa on June 15, 743 B.C.E. During totality, the moon completely covered the sun for a remarkable 7 minutes and 28 seconds. This record stands to be surpassed on July 16, 2186 C.E., when totality is expected to last 7 minutes and 29 seconds.

3. 1851, Prussia: The First Total Eclipse Ever Photographed

In 1851, Johann Julius Friedrich Berkowski captured the first photographic evidence of a total solar eclipse. Berkowski, at the Royal Observatory in Königsberg (now Kaliningrad, Russia), documented the event for posterity. This marked a significant milestone in eclipse photography.

4. 1919, Brazil and Principe: The Eclipse That Helped Prove Einstein's Theory of Relativity

The 1919 solar eclipse held considerable scientific importance. It offered a chance to test Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity, which had been proposed in 1915. By observing how the light of distant stars bent around the sun during the eclipse, scientists were able to provide evidence supporting Einstein's theory. This groundbreaking event ultimately led to the replacement of Newton's theory of gravity with Einstein's theory of general relativity.

5. 2024: The Most Recent Total Eclipse Seen From The U.S.

The last time the United States experienced a total solar eclipse was on April 8, 2024. The eclipse journeyed from Mexico, passing through various U.S. states including Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine before entering Canada. The U.S. will have to wait another two decades for the next total solar eclipse in 2044, which will be visible from only two states: Montana and North Dakota.