Total solar eclipse crossing Texas next month
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(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO | NASA) The pathway of the total solar eclipse which will occur Monday, April 8 across the United States and in Texas. While Young County is not in the direct line of the eclipse, residents will be able to see a partial eclipse. -
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO | NWS FORT WORTH)
An opportunity which won’t occur for another 20 years is approaching in the state of Texas when a total solar eclipse will cross the state in April. Despite extending over Fort Worth, Young County will not be within the path, but will still experience a partial eclipse.
A total solar eclipse will be visible Monday, April 8, over Mexico, the United States and Canada. A total solar eclipse is when the moon passes between the sun and Earth and completely blocks the face of the sun.
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the last time a total solar eclipse crossed North America was Aug. 21, 2017.
According to NASA, the total eclipse totality, the period in which the moon completely covers the sun, will begin at 1:40 p.m. in Dallas. Totality will last from a few seconds to around four-and-a-half minutes, depending on where the viewer is located.
Viewers will have to be in the path of totality to see the full eclipse. Viewers outside of the path of totality will be able to see a partial eclipse. For a full list of cities which will be within the path of the eclipse, along with the duration of the eclipse, visit eclipse2024.org.
The Texas Department of Transportation warns drivers to be on alert for distracted pedestrians during the eclipse and to expect heavy traffic and sudden stops.
The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed, partially eclipsed, or annually eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters such as “eclipse glasses” or handheld solar viewing devices, according to NASA.
Eclipse glasses can be purchased or viewers can use an indirect observation method such as a pinhole viewer.
Solar filters should be inspected before use and should be discarded if scratched, punctured, torn or otherwise damaged. Eclipse glasses should be worn over eyeglasses and not while operating a vehicle.
Do not look at the sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device or look through such devices while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer in front of your eyes.
