TEXAS TO EXPERIENCE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE MONDAY
Texans will have the opportunity on Monday to experience a rare celestial event.
from Madras, Oregon.
(NASA/Gopalswamy)
A solar eclipse will pass across the United States, where the moon will come between Earth and the sun. Some Texas cities like San Antonio, Austin, Waco and Dallas lie in the path of totality, meaning the moon will completely block the sun there.
Washington County will not experience totality, but it will have about 97 percent coverage. A partial eclipse will begin around 12:19 p.m. and end around 3 p.m., with maximum coverage of the sun coming at approximately 1:39 p.m.
Blinn College Astronomy and Physics Professor Dr. Jim Freeman says there are few events that compare to a total eclipse.
locations where the Moon's shadow will completely
cover the sun during Monday's eclipse.
(courtesy NASA)
For those wanting to watch the eclipse as it happens, they should ensure they have ISO-certified eye protection, as it is not safe to look at the eclipse directly without it. The same applies for looking at the eclipse through a telescope, binoculars or camera lens: a proper solar filter is needed in order to look at the sun safely.
The last total solar eclipse in North America was in August 2017. After this one, the next full eclipse that can be seen from the contiguous United States will not be until 2044.
Dr. Freeman says anyone who has the chance to participate should do so.
Dr. Freeman will lead an eclipse viewing event open to the public at the Blinn College-Bryan Campus Student Center courtyard on Monday, starting at noon.
Visit Brenham Tourism and Marketing Manager Kathrine Briscoe says the Nancy Carol Roberts Memorial Library in Brenham will be handing out glasses for the eclipse. She says anyone looking for places in Brenham and Washington County to view the eclipse can find potential spots on their list of “Brenham’s Perfect Picnic Places” at https://visitbrenhamtexas.com.
The Texas Department of Public Safety encourages driving defensively and planning ahead. It asks drivers to not stop in the roadway to watch the eclipse, and to instead find a parking lot.