2024-03-29

South Plains Astronomy Club

Observing Under The Dark West Texas Skies

Texas is ideally situated for two upcoming solar eclipses and our great state will be at the heart of eclipse expeditions for both eclipses. After these two eclipses, the next total solar eclipse won’t be visible until 2044, so the media hype and crowds are likely to be thick, especially for the 2024 total eclipse.

Please note that we want you to enjoy these eclipses safely and are offering club-branded safe eclipse glasses at just $2 each:

South Plains Astronomy Club's eclipse glasses.

These glasses are available at all of our events and meetings, plus you can contact us through our web site to make special arrangements for larger purchases. However, if you don’t choose to purchase from us, we urge you to review authoritative sources on safe eclipse observing such as American Astronomical Society, National Air and Space Administration, National Solar Observatory, and American Academy of Ophthalmology.

October 14, 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse

An annular eclipse occurs when the Moon is slightly closer to Earth than usual and does not completely cover the Sun, often called “The Ring of Fire“, so it is never safe to observe without eclipse glasses or other safe viewing methods.

This eclipse path is just south of Lubbock, so you have the luxury of a short 100-mile drive southwest to observe the complete eclipse or of observing 88% complete annular eclipse from your back yard. Hobbs, New Mexico is probably the most convenient location from Lubbock, and you can use this interactive map to plan travel to the annular eclipse path.

April 8, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is at average or longer distance from the Earth and therefore completely covers the entire surface of the Sun. During totality, the Moon completely covers the sun, so it is safe to look at the eclipse with the naked eye so you can see the glorious beauty of the Sun’s corona.

In April, the eclipse path runs from the Mexican border near Uvalde, following I35 and covering part or all of San Antonio, Austin, Waco, Fort Worth, Dallas, and Texarkana. The eclipse continues northeast to New England and Newfoundland. Use this map to plan any travel to view this eclipse. Lubbock will see an 88% partial eclipse, so you will need eclipse glasses for the whole eclipse here.