Everything you need to know about the solar eclipse in Texas and where to get free glasses
An annular solar eclipse will be visible across the Western Hemisphere this weekend, and some Americans will be able to see it — including Austinites, NASA is predicting.
NASA projects the eclipse will be visible across North America, Central America, and South America, including parts of the U.S. and Mexico.
The solar eclipse will happen on Saturday, Oct. 14. NASA states the annular solar eclipse will begin in Oregon around 9:13 a.m. PT and end in Texas around 12:03 p.m. CT.
Here's what you need to know about the eclipse coming up later this year and how you can watch it.
What is an annular solar eclipse?
An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes in between the sun and the Earth while at its farthest point from Earth.
Why is it called the 'ring of fire'?
"Because the moon is farther away from Earth, it appears smaller than the sun and does not completely cover the star. This creates a 'ring of fire' effect in the sky," according to NASA.
Where is the best place to see the solar eclipse in Texas?
On Oct. 14, the annular solar eclipse will be visible throughout parts of Texas.
Anyone within the eclipse’s path from Oregon to Texas will have a chance to see the event if the skies are clear.
San Antonio is inside the direct path of optimal viewing, so people there will be able to view the eclipse anywhere from 3 to 4½ minutes.
Because Austin is just northeast of the path, the range of viewing here will be less than 3 minutes. The best time for eclipse viewing in the Austin area will be between 11:50 a.m. and 11:55 a.m.
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How can I safely watch the eclipse?
Looking at the sun for an extended amount of time can cause eye damage.
While watching the eclipse, NASA recommends specialized eye protection meant for solar viewing. Regular sunglasses are not safe for viewing the sun.
"Viewing any part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury," the website states.
Where can you get free solar eclipse glasses near you?
Five million solar eclipse glasses will be distributed to 10,000 libraries across the nation as part of the Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries (SEAL) program.
Libraries will also provide resources, information and activities to library patrons.
See if your library is participating below or click here to see the map.
Where can you buy solar eclipse glasses?
There are many retail chains that sell eclipse glasses. These are typically made of cardboard and often less than $2.
If you buy eclipse glasses, be sure they are made by companies the American Astronomical Society and NASA has certified as safe for use. They should all have the "ISO" (International Organization for Standardization) icon. The glasses also must have the ISO reference number 12312-2.
A sampling of certified companies:
If you do not have the glasses, you can create a pinhole projector to safely look at the eclipse.
How to make solar eclipse glasses at home
Materials for pinhole projector:
A cardboard box
White paper
Aluminum foil
Tape
You can even use a kitchen colander to view the eclipse.
What's the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse?
There are two kinds of eclipses — solar and lunar. A solar eclipse is when the moon passes in front of the sun, covering its light. A lunar eclipse is when the Earth blocks the sun’s light from hitting the moon, creating a reddish hue on the moon during the night.
The distance between the moon and the Earth affects how visible a solar eclipse is. When the moon is closer to Earth, it can completely block the sun, resulting in a total solar eclipse. When the moon is farthest away from Earth, it does not block the entire view of the sun, creating an annular, or ring-shaped, solar eclipse. People will be able to see a "ring of fire" as the outer edges of the sun remain uncovered by the moon.
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When will an eclipse happen again?
On Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will occur. The eclipse’s path will go northeast from Texas to Maine.
The next annular eclipse will happen on Oct. 2, 2024. But if you want to view that one, you're going to have to travel to South America or Antarctica.
After that, the next annular eclipse visible in the U.S. will occur June 21, 2039, per NASA.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: How to get free solar eclipse glasses in Texas before Saturday
