Total solar eclipse: When will Austin get one?

Visible total solar eclipses seem to be somewhat of a rarity in Austin, from what we could find. The 65 percent of The Great American Solar Eclipse of 2017 we just saw was pretty darn cool and spooky, but many Austinites are wondering when we’ll get a chance to see a total solar eclipse from home sweet home.

The answer to that question, according to NASA, is April 8, 2024. The eclipse will last from 5:17 p.m. to 7:58 p.m. CDT, and will peak at 6:36 p.m. with a total eclipse that lasts about a minute.

We can’t say that it’s never too early to start planning your 2024 eclipse parties (do solar eclipse glasses have an expiration date? Will it be cloudy or raining in April 2024, as it frequently can be in the Austin springtime?). However, it’s a good idea mark your calendars so as not to be surprised when the skies go dark in the middle of the day.

Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak, NASA's GSFC/WIkimedia Commons

Meanwhile, one year prior to that, on October 14, 2023, there will be what is called an annular eclipse visible from North America. According to ArsTechica, during an annular eclipse the moon is slightly farther away from the Earth than it is during a total solar eclipse and doesn’t obscure the sun in its entirely. Rather, it leaves a reddish "ring of fire" around the Moon (which, frankly, sounds as cool as or at least more colorful than a total eclipse).

Austin won’t be in the path of to get a full view of that one, but it will be close: The San Antonio area, where we will all have moved by then anyway, will be right in its path.

NASA

• So, you’re not seeing the eclipse today … [ArsTechnica]