If you are going to be observing the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse (TSE) from Texas please review the image below. On eclipse day you will need to be somewhere in that shaded area, and preferably closer to the blue or “centerline” during the eclipse. It doesn’t matter whether you are in extreme south Texas or all the way up on the Red River in northeast Texas, as long as you are between the lines and again, close to the blue centerline you’ll enjoy up to 4 minutes and 20 + seconds of totality (weather permitting). That means the Moon completely covering the Sun and providing amazing views of the sun’s corona and other astonishing solar eclipse phenomena.
Path of Totality for Texas on April 8, 2024.
If you have never witnessed a TSE here is your big chance but remember to experience the totally eclipsed Sun you must be in between the shaded lines on the map above or somewhere along this path whether it be down in Mexico or farther up into the eastern U.S. or Canada. There is no almost about this! Totality only occurs between the marked lines seen on the map. But be warned, the closer you are to one of the red lines (border of totality) but still within the “path of totality” the SHORTER your totality time. This is why it’s important to try and get as close as you can to the centerline for maximum totality. The reason for the reduction in totality duration as you move away from the centerline is directly related to the fact that the Moon is round. The moon is round and so is its shadow as it falls on the Earth.
TSE 8-21-2017 – Outer Corona.
So make your arrangements to get yourself in the path of totality on eclipse day otherwise you are just going to see a partial solar eclipse. The difference between seeing a partial solar eclipse and a total solar eclipse is like hitting the traveling carnival in your local shopping center parking lot or going to Disney World in Florida. Maybe I’m dating myself a little? Do they still even have traveling carnivals? Anyway, there is no comparison. You do not get to see totality with a partial solar eclipse, and that is where the magic happens.
On October 14, 2023 an annular solar eclipse was visible in the U.S. Much of the United States witnessed a partial solar eclipse as a result but those in the western portion of the country were better situated for a deeper and longer solar eclipse. Those along the narrow path of annularity were treated to an amazing “ring of fire.”
Unlike a total solar eclipse, annular solar eclipses occur when the Moon is slightly farther away from the Earth in its orbit.
Total Annular Solar Eclipse 10-14-2023
This results in the Moon covering up the Sun but since it’s father away a thin ring of the Sun is still visible around the Moon. Thus solar filters must be used during the entire progression of an annular eclipse even when viewing in the path of annularity as the surface of the Sun is still visible round the outer edge of the Moon.
Early risers on Wednesday morning, May 26, 2021 will be treated to a total lunar eclipse hanging low in the western sky.
This lunar eclipse will be better situated for observers in the western half of the U.S but that doesn’t mean you should scratch it off your list just because you are in the eastern half of the county.
The upcoming eclipse is very reminiscent of the total lunar eclipse of January 31, 2018. Why? The timing for one. The 1/31/18 TLE started very early in the morning and was setting as twilight was coming on and totality was waning as is this one. Additionally, both eclipses happen around lunar perigee (the point where the Moon is closest to Earth in its orbit). At this time the Moon is slightly larger in the sky. You’ll sometimes hear this referred to as a “super moon,” a term I don’t like to use.
It’s like deja’ vu all over again! Last year there was a total lunar eclipse that occurred on January 31, 2018. That TLE was sure fun to watch and photograph. What made it enjoyable was the eclipse took place as the Moon was setting and made for some good images with the landmarks and the horizon. In fact, the moon was actually eclipsed as dawn was coming on, and it was setting at the same time. There was a lot happening. This total lunar eclipse, which occurred less than a year later was much higher in the sky. The weather was not perfect. It was cold with high thin clouds and periods of thicker cloudiness initially but as the night and eclipse wore on the sky did clear out nicely.
Posted below are images I shot of the January 20, 2019 total lunar eclipse or if you prefer the “media hyped” naming convention then it would be the “super blood wolf moon – total lunar eclipse.” Super because this full moon occurred near perigee which is when the moon is a fraction closer to Earth. Blood because total lunar eclipses take on a reddish/orange hue due to light refracting through the Earth’s atmosphere which sucks out the blue light waves and lets the red ones run free to bath the moon in blood. Finally, the January full moon is commonly called the “wolf” moon. Had this eclipse occurred in March when the full moon is known as the “worm moon,” they would have been calling it the “super blood worm moon,” or in August, the sturgeon moon. You get the idea.
Here are images I shot of this morning’s total lunar eclipse using a Nikon D60 with a Nikkor 50-200mm lens. These images were shot at Richard Simpson Park on Lake Arlington in Arlington, TX.
A total lunar eclipse will be visible (weather permitting) from the North Texas area early on the morning of Wednesday, January 31, 2018. Here are the eclipse event times (CST) specific to the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
4:51 a.m. Penumbral Eclipse begins
5:48 a.m. Partial eclipse begins with Umbra making contact
6:51 a.m. Total eclipse begins
7:20 a.m. Maximal Eclipse for DFW area
7:24 a.m. The Moon sets for DFW area
7:26 a.m. Full Moon occurs for DFW (occurs below horizon for DFW)
What a great adventure to Tennessee and Kentucky to see the Great American Total Solar Eclipse. I viewed the celestial show from Hopkinsville, KY with several coworkers who also made the long drive.
TSE 08212017 – The moment before totality
The “solar funnel” (solar projection cone) seen below that I had made a few months back in preparation for this eclipse was a huge hit with eclipse chasers! I received many compliments and plenty of return visitors to check the progress of the partial phase.
You can view the HD video I shot before, during and after totality below. Totality begins at about 10 minutes into the video.
You can find many more of my eclipse pictures as well as pictures of the telescopes and fellow eclipse chasers on my Total Solar Eclipse – 8/21/2017 page that I’ve added to this site. Click the link just above or navigate to Astrophotoghaphy > Eclipses > Total Solar Eclipse – 08/21/2017 on the menu in the upper left on this page.
We are now in the home stretch for what is being called the Great American Total Solar Eclipse. Not in 99 years has a total solar eclipse made its way across the continental U.S. and surely it will be one of the most observed total solar eclipses in history.
Total Solar Eclipse – February 26, 1998
The last total solar eclipse that I was present for was on February 26, 1998. Nineteen years ago my wife and I took a 7 day cruise and saw the eclipse on board the ship off the coast of Aruba in the Caribbean. Seeing the eclipse at sea was a very special treat indeed. With a flat horizon for 360 degrees it’s easier to see the moon’s shadow build on the horizon, speed toward you at almost frightening speed, over take you and speed away. I vividly recall the emotional response it generated in me and all who were there to see it. No pictures or movies can accurately reproduce this type of event. It simply must be experienced. I learned first hand that day why and how some many people become eclipse chasers. Sounds odd to those who don’t give a second thought about astronomical events but rest assured the experience drives people to see it over and over again. Kind of like a roller coaster junkie or sky diver who lives for the thrill and once seen longs for the next high from his or her obsession.
Doing star parties over the years I have witnessed long lines of party-goers queued up to take a peak through my telescope. I’ve found this to be the perfect time to talk to folks about what’s being looked at in the telescope. I like to throw out some fun facts and this always spawns more questions and curiosity in the gathered group. Talking to adults and kids about the night sky is one of the greatest aspects of doing star parties.
There is a limit to how many people can look through the scope at any given time, put simply it’s one at a time. But when I saw this neat gadget called a “solar funnel” I immediately knew it would be great at eclipses to show participants the partial phases and better yet it could do this via projection so many people close by can view the eclipse at once.
The lure is there. Friends and family not going to the eclipse are quick to say “be sure and take some good pictures!” You of course were already planning on taking pictures but now there is added pressure to get it done, and those shots had better look great! The last thing you want to do is have to show them some blurry, unfocused, dark, eclipse pictures.
Partial Solar Eclipse 6/10/02
Recording a total solar eclipse on film, digitally or using a video camera can quickly become a huge task that monopolizes your time. The logistics of getting all your equipment to your observation site and setting up in a timely manner alone introduces stresses that factor into your experience. All of this adds up and can in some cases ruin both you and your family’s eclipse experience.
Here are some suggestions for helping to ease the stress level and to allow you to get the shots you want and need all the while enjoying the eclipse. But that can’t be done, can it? Sure it can.
Current amateur astronomy information such as points of interest and events in the night sky, star party dates, educational information, telescopes buying tips and much more.
You can view the HD video I shot before, during and after totality below. Totality begins at about 10 minutes into the video.
