Coming soon: April 8, 2024
The opportunity of a lifetime to experience a total solar eclipse is only a few days away! Take advantage of this eclipse, as the next visible total eclipse in Texas will not occur until August 12, 2045.
You don’t have to travel far to see the April 8 eclipse; in fact, you can likely enjoy it from your own backyard! In The Woodlands, the view will be 95.5% of totality at 1:40 p.m., while the whole transit of the moon across the face of the sun will take from 12:20 to 3:01 p.m. in our area.
A large swath of Texas will be in the path of totality, an area over 100 miles wide beginning around 1:30 p.m. at the southern border near Eagle Pass and ending 20 mins later as the moon’s shadow crosses into Oklahoma and Arkansas past Mount Pleasant. If you’d like an even better view, be prepared for heavy traffic! The nearest locations experiencing totality include Kerrville and Fredericksburg, which both will have totality just ahead of us at 1:32 pm. Parts of Dallas-Ft. Worth, Austin, and San Antonio will also experience a total eclipse. Over 12 million Texans will get a front row seat, as more people here live in the path of totality than any other state. If you prefer not to drive or rainy weather threatens a clear view, Space.com will be broadcasting the eclipse live.
Safety is very important when viewing an eclipse. Certified eclipse glasses are required for safe viewing, and filters are needed for smartphones and cameras if you plan to capture the event. Supplies of eclipse glasses are quickly diminished; if you have not yet purchased them, do so today. If you are unable to obtain eclipse glasses, opt for indirect viewing options such as a pinhole viewer. For those who plan on being outside for several hours, don’t forget the sunscreen!
Learn more about the eclipse by exploring the “Total Solar Eclipse Resources” below. NASA has created several guides, including age-appropriate information for children and students. For those who may want to use this as a teachable experience, the Ft. Worth Museum has also created an excellent educator’s guide. If you want to snag one of the few remaining spots at a Texas State Park, see their guide of 31 places within the path of totality. For a communal viewing experience, Texas A&M-Commerce is holding a public eclipse viewing event at their stadium. Check out these resources – and more – and make the most of this exciting event!
Total Solar Eclipse Resources
Eclipse: an occasion when the sun looks like it is completely or partially covered with a dark circle because the moon is between the sun and the Earth.
Astronomy Magazine Eclipse Guide
Texas Parks and Wildlife Eclipse Viewing
Texas Parks and Wildlife Eclipse Viewing Frequently Asked Questions
Texas A&M University-Commerce Eclipse Viewing Event for General Public
Guides and Activities for Families
NASA Eclipse Activity Guide NASA Solar Eclipse Educator’s Guide
NASA “Snap It” Solar Eclipse Game (age 7+)