Where will you be Monday afternoon? At work? At home? Not interested in the eclipse? While Houston will not be in the direct path of Total Eclipse 2024 , we may still see the sun look like a crescent moon during the day on Monday, April 8th. The bummer is, forecasters are predicting cloudiness that could affect our view completely.
Is it worth trying to view if the clouds cloud the show? Well, it will only be a partial eclipse but it will be the last total eclipse we can even catch a glimpse of for two decades. The next total eclipse to travel coast to coast in North America will not occur again until 2045. So there's that. The question begs, do we take a last minute road trip to Central Texas to see it in totality? Such a coin toss. Fact is, Houston has not experienced a total eclipse in well over 700 years. And a total eclipse is not in our near future, at least not until the year 2200!
Should you decide to not take the drive, at least try to enjoy the partial moment. If it turns out that we get a clear view, we'll get to see about 94% of the sun covered by the moon at 1:40pm, according to experts. The whole eclipse will run for a few hours, starting at 12:20pm and ending right about 3pm.
But first, DO NOT FORGET your viewing glasses or other apparatus. It matters a great deal as we are not going to see the eclipse in totality. Then and only then, can you sneak a peek without glasses. But again, we're only reaching 94% here in Houston and you will cause eye damage if you don't protect your eyes while the eclipse is active.
You can pick up FREE glasses at a few places (most notably libraries) including:
Jungman Neighborhood Library
5830 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057
and
Looscan Neighborhood Library
2510 Willowick Rd, Houston, TX 77027
I suggest calling first to be sure they still have some available, and I specifically suggest libraries as a trusted source because there are places giving them away that have turned out unsafe for viewing.
You can always make it a fun weekend project with your young one by making your own safe viewer! Click HERE for the DIY.
If you'd like to take the afternoon and attend a collective viewing, here's a few options close to home that are FREE and family friendly.
Memorial Park Conservancy - Total Solar Eclipse at Kinder Land Bridge 1pm-3pm (Bring your own glasses and seating)
Levy Park - 2024 Solar Eclipse Viewing Party 12:30pm (Free glasses while supplies last, live DJ and themed craft activity)
Cornelius Nursery - Eclipse Viewing Party 1pm-2pm (free glasses ad treats while supplies last)
Not so free, but offering FREE viewing glasses (while supplies last), check out Solar Eclipse at the Zoo for a chance to experience how animals will be reacting when the eclipse is active.
And if you're interested in getting a whole eclipse vibe and don't mind paying admission - head over to our very own Space Center Houston - Total Solar Eclipse Celebration happening all weekend leading up to Monday's opportunity to hang with the Houston Astronomical Society.
Enjoy!
