Q&A: When will the next total solar eclipse be viewable in Texas?

Question by Carefree Alpaca!: When will the next total solar eclipse be viewable in Texas?
I'd also like to know what part of Texas it would cross over. I know we had one where I am about 10-15 years ago, but I'm trying to figure the odds of me seeing one in my lifetime.

Thanks in advance!


Best answer:
Answer by Anne MarieHi Tex!

You don't have all that long to wait! The total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024 will sweep across Texas in a wide band. Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin and Waco lie in the path of totality, which just brushes San Antonio. Those from Texarkana to Del Rio and most of the Texas Hill Country also see the total eclipse. The rest of the state gets to see a partial eclipse that morning.

There are a few other solar eclipses of note over the next sixteen years, but none will actually be total in Texas.

1) If you happen to be in Lubbock, you'll see an annular eclipse of the sun the evening of May 20, 2012. In an annular eclipse, the moon moves completely across the solar disc, but since the moon is in the part of its orbit that carries it farthest from earth, it won't be large enough to completely cover the sun. A ring of sunlight remains visible throughout. The rest of Texas sees the start of a partial eclipse at sunset that evening, 4 1/2 years from now.

2) You can see a shallow partial eclipse the afternoon of October 23, 2014. Only about 50% of the sun will be covered in the panhandle, less than that in the rest of the state.

3) There is a total solar eclipse in Missouri on August 21, 2017 you could see. But it will be only a partial eclipse in Texas. About 80% of the solar disc is covered in north Texas, dwindling to 60% in the Rio Grande valley.

4) Less than six months before the total eclipse of 2024, most of south Texas sees an annular eclipse, the morning of October 24, 2023. San Antonio, Odessa, and Corpus Christi lie in the path of maximum eclipse, which will also brush Lubbock again. Places along the eastern border of New Mexico will see both annular eclipses, this and the one on May 20, 2012.

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Total Solar Eclipse | Solar Eclipse Information