Texans have the opportunity to witness a rare astronomical phenomenon Aug. 21. The last time a “very good, observable” eclipse happened over a high-population area in the West was in 1999 over Paris, said Torvald Hessel, founder and chief strategy officer of the Texas Museum of Science & Technology in Cedar Park. This time, the total eclipse will be visible along a line of totality from the coast of Oregon to the coast of Virginia, he said. “What happens is the moon gets in between you, the observer, and the sun,” making it look as though the moon covers the sun completely, Hessel said. In Texas, the solar eclipse will not be total. Instead, residents of Central Texas will see a partial eclipse, when the moon will cover the sun about 65-67%, Hessel said. “I tell everybody if you have the chance, travel, go see [the total eclipse],” he said. “It truly is a life-changing event to observe that.” If area residents cannot take a trip to the eclipse’s path of totality, there are several locations hosting eclipse viewing parties in the Austin area, including TXMOST:
  1. Hessel is available to answer questions during TXMOST’s eclipse viewing event. The museum also livestreams the total eclipse through NASA. Eclipse glasses will be sold as long as supplies last. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free with museum admission. 1220 Toro Grande Drive, Cedar Park. 512-961-5333. www.txmost.org
  2. The Round Rock Public Library is partnering with the Space Science Institute for a party on Prete Plaza. The library has a number of activities planned at the event and provides solar viewing glasses. Noon-2 p.m. Free. 221 E. Main St., Round Rock. 512-218-3275. www.roundrocktexas.gov
  3. The University of Texas Department of Astronomy live-beams a feed of the eclipse through several mirrors, lenses and a prism, onto the wall of a classroom. NASA’s total eclipse livestream is projected in the classroom as well. 11:40 a.m. Free, fee for parking. Robert Lee Moore Hall, 2515 Speedway, Austin. 512-471-3000. outreach.as.utexas.edu/eclipse
  4. The Solar Eclipse Party at the Buda Public Library features hands-on activities. Attendees are provided with solar glasses and can watch the eclipse on the library lawn. Noon-2 p.m. Free. 303 Main Street, Buda. 512-295-5899. www.budalibrary.org
  5. The Pflugerville Public Library is hosting an event to celebrate the eclipse and providing safety glasses. The event concludes with a craft and a screening of “Wall-E.” 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Free. 1008 W. Pfluger St., Pflugerville. 512-990-6375. www.pflugervilletx.gov
The partial eclipse can also be seen from one’s own backyard. However, it’s important to never look directly at the sun, Hessel said. “Looking at the sun is just really dangerous,” he said. “If you look at the sun for 10 seconds, you can do irreparable harm to your eyes.” Torvald Hessel is the executive director of the Texas Museum of Science & Technology.[/caption] Hessel recommended these safety tips and tricks for eclipse viewers:
  1. Buy solar eclipse glasses. Look for CE-certified glasses—there are forgeries available online, which will not properly protect eyes, Hessel said.
  2. Never look at the sun through binoculars or telescopes. These devices work like a magnifying glass and can cause blindness when the user looks directly at the sun.
  3. Find a way to watch the sun indirectly. Crafters can put a small hole in a postcard and use the hole to project light onto a piece of dark paper. As the eclipse takes place, the hole will become covered.
  4. Project an image using binoculars. Another option is to use an old pair of binoculars to project an image of the sun onto a piece of paper, through the lenses (remember, never look at the sun through the binoculars). Hessel recommends using old binoculars because they could be damaged by the sun’s heat.
Central Texans looking to see a total solar eclipse at home can mark their calendars for April 8, 2024, when a total solar eclipse will be visible in the Austin area, Hessel said.