Texas eclipse 2024

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Travis County officials are gearing up for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in 2024, as a total solar eclipse is expected to pass over the Central Texas region.

A total solar eclipse will pass over the Hill Country region on April 8, 2024, from 1:32-1:41 p.m. The astronomical phenomenon happens when the sun, moon and Earth are directly aligned, resulting in a shadow from the moon darkening the sky during the day.

Total solar eclipses happen approximately every 18 months around the world, with the last one witnessed in the continental U.S. on Aug. 21, 2017. Approximately 20 million Americans saw the 2017 eclipse.

In 2024, Texas will be the first state the eclipse hits before heading to the northeast, said Dawn Davies, night sky program manager with the Hill Country Alliance. She said upwards of tens to hundreds of thousands of visitors could travel to Central Texas to witness the event, which will happen in tandem with the region’s already popular wildflower, bluebonnet and migratory bird seasons.

“It’s somewhat of the perfect storm,” she said.

Currently, Davies is working to coordinate with other Central Texas counties on their eclipse plans to help ensure they can handle the influx of traffic and visitors expected to come.

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Astronomer Michael Brewster told Travis County commissioners Tuesday he has spoken with many people who plan to visit Austin during the eclipse, adding this will be a tremendous tourism opportunity for the region. He flagged Burnet and Fredericksburg as two Central Texas areas that can expect spectacular views.

In our neck of the woods, the northwestern portion of Travis County will be in the path of totality — or will be able to see the total path of the eclipse — while the southeastern portion will not. As a result, he said the county should expect to see a surge of traffic during the eclipse.

On Tuesday, commissioners approved a resolution which will include participating in the Hill Country Alliance’s roundtable to learn more about preparations for the total eclipse. The county will also work in tandem with its parks, emergency services, sheriff’s office and communications departments on how to best plan for the phenomenon.

Travis County will also work in coordination with Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Austin Visitors Bureau, local city and county governments, colleges, hospitals, universities and school districts to enhance local and regional eclipse experiences.

“This is kind of like hosting the Olympics of astronomy,” Brewster said. “There’s going to be people coming from all over the world, and we can expect a very major event.”

Central Texas will experience a total solar eclipse in the year 2024. Here are some of the best viewing spots.

AUSTIN, Texas — While many people struggle to make plans even just a few months in advance, space enthusiasts in Central Texas are already marking their calendars for the year 2024. 

On April 8, 2024, a total eclipse will be viewable for the heart of Texas.  

If you need a quick astronomy refresher, don't worry. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth. When the moon blocks the entire sun, a total solar eclipse occurs. This is different from a partial solar eclipse where the moon does not entirely block the sun.

Many residents throughout Central Texas will be able to view the solar eclipse, but the best viewing spots within the KVUE viewing area will be west of Interstate 35. 

Here is a list of some of the areas within the region that will experience the total solar eclipse for the longest period of time:

• Kerrville: 1:32 p.m. - 1:36 p.m. (4 minutes and 29 seconds of totality) 
• Fredericksburg: 1:32 p.m. - 1:37 p.m. (4 minutes and 24 seconds of totality)
• Llano: 1:34 p.m. - 1:38 p.m. (4 minutes and 22 seconds of totality)
• Lampasas:  1:35 p.m. - 1:39 p.m. (4 minutes and 24 seconds of totality) 
• Killeen: 1:36 p.m. - 1:40 p.m. (4 minutes and 17 seconds of totality)
• Gatesville: 1:36 p.m. - 1:41 p.m. (4 minutes and 23 seconds of totality)
• Residents in Austin will experience about 1 minute and 46 seconds of the total solar eclipse at 1:36 p.m.

Areas falling between the gray lines in the image above will experience the total solar eclipse. Areas falling along the center white line will experience the total solar eclipse for the longest period of time.

According to the American Astronomical Society, the brightness from a total solar eclipse is comparable to that of a full moon and is safe to look at. However, it is unsafe to stare directly at the sun leading up to and after the total eclipse has occurred. Therefore, it is important to use a filter, such as special eclipse glasses. Make sure you buy some well in advance!

While it is exciting to know Central Texans will get a front-row seat for this event, it's important to note that the forecast for that day will play a crucial role in whether the eclipse will be viewable. 

Naturally, a cloudy day would make it difficult to observe the phenomenon.

Texans should be in a great position to see the eclipse, but residents near Bermejillo, Mexico, will experience the longest duration totality (i.e. the longest time of eclipse). It is expected to last about 4 minutes and 28 seconds near this location.

Scientists predict there will be only 67 total solar eclipses this century.

The most recent total solar eclipse on Earth was on Dec. 14, 2020, but was only viewable for portions of the Southern Hemisphere. The longest duration of totality for this event was about 2 minutes and 9 seconds.

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