Why do all the Solar Eclipses happen in Asia or Europe????

Question

I read theres going to be a total solar eclipes on August first, and wasnt surprised that once again, only Asia and Europe and a few other places besides North America will be able to see it. Why is it that they never happen over here?? Just once I'd like to see a solar eclipse but there never visible here.

Answer 1

europe and asia constitute a larger fraction of the earth's surface area than north america. accordingly, more eclipses happen there.

Answer 2

It's true that some parts of North America are having a bad run at the moment. For example, New York has no solar eclipses at all between 2001 and 2013, which is an unusually long gap. But don't worry, it all evens out eventually and the U.S. will have an annular eclipse in 2012 and total eclipses in 2017 and 2024.

Answer 3

Yeah I know how you feel, lol. It's like that with me as well (hey! we both live in the USA, lol). Lunar eclipses are also bad for me. Immediately as the shadow of Earth starts to be on the moon, random clouds come in from no where. Argh, I really dislike clouds at night.

Knowing my luck, if I were on the moon watching a solar eclipse (Earth eclipsing the sun), random clouds would arrive there too. "Dude? WTF? Clouds on the moon?" Yes, only to spite me and my futile attempts to observe an eclipse of any sort.

Answer 4

There's a really good North American eclipse in 2017.  The path cuts across the whole of the US.

I saw a total eclipse in Connecticut in the early '70s.

Answer 5

It's a conspiracy.

Answer 6

But they do happen over here in North America.  ... and with the same frequency as everywhere else.

Answer 7

Simple...America has a small fraction of the earths surface in comparison to the massive land area of Europe, Africa and Asia.

Answer 8

they happen all over the planet.

you just never noticed them aroun here.

just pay more attention

Answer 9

Well, you can see the Aug 1 eclipse no matter where you are as long as you have internet access; go to http://sunearthday.gsfc.nasa.gov/2008ecl...

But, you didn't say where 'here' is, there'll be a dandy one on April 8, 2024, covering a nice chunk of North America.  See the link below: