Solar Eclipse Information
Two eclipses will take place during the 2023-2024 school year and will be visible in North America. An annular solar eclipse and a total solar eclipse. The total solar eclipse is rare in North America and won’t be viewable again until 2044.
What is a solar eclipse?
Did you know that there are four types of solar eclipses? Those eclipses include total, partial, hybrid, and annular. As NASA’s Solar System page explains:
Solar eclipses occur when the Sun, the Moon, and Earth line up, either fully or partially. Depending on how they align, eclipses provide a unique, exciting view of either the Sun or the Moon.
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth. The Moon casts a shadow on Earth that either fully or partially blocks the Sun’s light in some areas.
This only happens occasionally. That’s because the Moon doesn’t orbit in the exact same plane as the Sun and Earth do.
When will the eclipse take place?
For the 2023-2024 school year, North America will have 2 (see the map below):
Annular solar eclipse: Saturday, October 14, 2023. Here in Andrews, the moon will start moving in front of the Sun at 10:17 am, will be centered over the Sun at 11:44 am, and will be done with the eclipse at 1:29 pm.
Total solar eclipse: Monday, April 8, 2024.
Where will the eclipse be visible?
Both eclipses will find their way through Texas. Andrews is right in the middle of the perfect spot for Saturday, October 14th.
Live somewhere else? You can find an amazing overview of solar eclipses across America online. The Greater American Eclipse website does a nice job showing where to see them.
Screenshot by author of two eclipse schedules, The Greater American Eclipse
The Andrews County Library is hosting a Picnic Watch Party on Saturday, October 14th from 10-2 at Pioneer Park. The AISD Planetarium, as well as others, will be there to watch the eclipse and provide information as needed. So come out and watch the eclipse.
The Annular Solar Eclipse on October 14, 2023
Also known as a “ring of fire,” the annular solar eclipse happens before a total eclipse. About six months before a total solar eclipse, there is an annular solar eclipse. An annual eclipse is when the Sun’s diameter is a bit larger than the Moon’s due to elliptical orbits.
Here is a flyover view of the path of the annular solar eclipse from Oregon to Texas.
Here is a NASA video over the annular and total solar eclipses.
If you are unable to go outside and see the eclipse for yourself, you can watch a livestream via Exploratorium.
Safety Precautions
DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN!!!
The watch party will have solar viewing glasses for you to use.
Smart Phone App
Big Kid Science’s Totality (free) has a great app to help as well.
The Totality app, available for Android and iOS, offers a variety of instructions on how to use it. The app was donated to the American Astronomical Society. It provides great information on the path of the eclipse.
Presentation done in Planetarium for students
