SAN ANTONIO — The next solar eclipse is almost here and it's a big deal. This eclipse is very different from the one experienced in October because this is a total solar eclipse meaning solar glasses can momentarily be removed for those located in the path of 100% totality. At this time on April 8 the skies will become dark and insects and animals could react in confusion as skies appear to change from day to night.
Unfortunately not every location in San Antonio will experience 100% totality as this year's path moves through only the northwestern portion of Bexar County. This means places like the downtown area of San Antonio or Southtown are not included in the path of totality. San Antonians will need to travel more northwest, past Loop 410, in order to safely experience 100% totality.
Some San Antonio-areas with 100% totality:
- Alamo Ranch
- Fair Oaks Ranch
- Government Canyon State Park
- Helotes
- OP Schnabel Park
- Leon Springs
- Leon Valley
- Leon Creek Greenway
- SeaWorld San Antonio
- Shavano Park
- Stone Oak
- Timberwood Park
Below is a map where the darkest part of the moon's shadow will fall to experience 100% totality:
Other places like Balcones Heights, Castle Hills, Hollywood Park and Phil Hardberger Park will be along the edge of the 100% totality path. This means totality is still possible but best to travel farther north to achieve a longer totality experience.
Why San Antonians will want to experience this eclipse:
A total solar eclipse is quite rare since the earth rarely lines up perfectly to appear as if the moon completely blocks the sun's total surface causing a small shadow across certain regions of the earth. This darkest part of this shadow is called the umbra with a width of only around 90 miles. Therefore, only those regions within this dark shadow will experience totality and can remove their solar glasses for a short time.
Now if you're one of the lucky ones to fall within the path of totality you will experience quite a sight. On April 8 around 1:34 p.m. the total solar eclipse will completely block out the face of the sun creating a dark silhouette and the light that peaks out is known as the sun's corona. This outer most layer of the sun's atmosphere is rarely seen and said to be hotter than the sun's actual surface. Pretty cool!
For those eclipse watchers who bring binoculars or a telescope will be able to see details of the sun's corona such as loops and arcs that could reveal solar magnetic fields, according to NASA's website.
If San Antonians do not live in the path of totality you may want to travel a short distance because this April's event will be a sight to see and another eclipse will not appear for two more decades in 2044!
