A total solar eclipse is set to plunge parts of the U.S. into temporary darkness on April 8.
According to the San Antonio Report, the total eclipse will start its dark march in Southwest Texas around 1:30 p.m. and continue until about 4:30 p.m. across the Northern U.S. border. For those lucky enough to be in the path of totality, which is only about 100 miles wide, they'll get to witness the sun transitioning from a blinding sphere to a black disk circled by the ethereal glow of its corona.
The residents of the northwestern half of San Antonio are in for a treat as they will experience the totality for approximately two to four minutes. Angela Speck, chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at UTSA told San Antonio Report “If you want to see the total eclipse, you have to be under this tiny little spot here, which is approximately 100 miles across,”
The expected influx of celestial tourists has prompted preparations for safety and accessibility. The Texas Department of Transportation has issued warnings about potential traffic delays across the state from April 7-9 and advised viewers not to don eclipse glasses while driving, to use headlights during daylight hours, and to watch out for distracted pedestrians. Meanwhile, San Antonio's local tourism bureau has set up a website called "Fiesta del Sol," which provides practical advice for those coming to watch the eclipse. As Roan Haggar, a fellow at the Waterloo Centre for Astrophysics, told the Waterloo Chronicle, witnessing a solar eclipse, “It really is an amazing thing to watch.”
The last time San Antonio was graced by a total solar eclipse was in 1397, well before Columbus set sail for the Americas. And the next time won't be until 2343. If history is any guide, this is a reminder of the celestial spectacle's rarity.
