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Texas is the place to be! April 8 will bring to the Lone Star State and to the nation one of the most memorable moments in a lifetime. Don’t miss it! Over 12 million Texans already live in the path of the total solar eclipse which begins in Mexico and continues over parts of Texas including Austin, Kerrville, and Fredericksburg through a band touching Fort Worth and Texarkana, on to Canada. Several million more will be traveling to Texas to enjoy the full eclipse.
But don’t worry, even if you are a little outside the total eclipse band. You will still see the celestial beauty in a partial eclipse. In all the U.S., Texas has the best forecast for weather for viewing with clear skies. So, mark your calendars, make your plans, get your eclipse viewing glasses and come prepared to participate in a miraculous natural phenomenon, where day turns to night before your eyes as the moon crosses the sun.
Don’t mistakenly think your cowboy hat or sunglasses can protect you from the sun this time. It will be a thousand times brighter, and you must not come unprotected. Get your proper eclipse glasses and keep them on throughout the event. Watch this celestial event safely and with delight.
Colorado County’s Wildseed Farms will be hosting a private event at its headquarters in Fredericksburg on April 8 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the midst of colorful wildflowers and walking tours. The viewing will be accompanied by bands, food, and fruits of the Wildseed Vineyards.
The entire Hill Country of Texas will be covered by locals, visitors, and the news media. Hotels have been booked for months, and some for years for the event. Viewing spots will be sought, and traffic will be heavy in the day’s celebrations. The Kerrville area anticipates over 400,000 visitors.
In four and a half minutes, the sun will be covered by the moon taking its place between the earth and the sun. As the day darkens, 99.8% of the sun will be covered. The stars will be seen from the darkened sky. The outermost rays of the sun will create a corona, or crown of light. As the moon shifts away, it bids goodbye to the sun in this celestial ballet of light.
The solar eclipse in Fredericksburg will happen from 12:15 p.m. to 2:56 p.m. Totality comes at 1:32 p.m. to 1:37 p.m. In Columbus the partial eclipse timing will be 12:55 to the peak at 2:12 p.m.
Join the celebration. The next solar eclipse in the U.S. will appear in 2044. Texas’ next solar eclipse will be in 2056. Store your cosmic glasses. Thank you, Mother Nature.
