On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will sweep across North America. Most of the Dallas-Fort Worth area is in the path of totality, giving residents the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch the moon block the sun for just under four minutes.
Are you in a prime location for eclipse viewing? It might be worth checking: Dallas won’t be in a solar eclipse’s path of totality again until 2317.
Where will the eclipse be visible in D-FW?
A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the Earth and sun, casting a shadow that can partially or totally block the sun’s light. The D-FW area witnessed a partial eclipse in October known as the “ring of fire,” but the total eclipse in April promises to be even more awe-inspiring. During totality, or the time when the moon appears to totally cover the sun, daylight will dim, temperatures may drop and stars could be visible in the midday sky.
On April 8, the eclipse will move from Mexico to the northeastern United States and Canada. Mexico’s Pacific Coast will be the first to experience totality, weather permitting, at 11:07 a.m. PT or 1:07 p.m. CT.
In Dallas, the moon will begin to cover the sun around 12:23 p.m., with totality beginning around 1:40 p.m. and ending just under 4 minutes later. The moon will then move away from the sun, with the spectacle ending around 3:02 p.m. Exact timing will depend on location in the metroplex.
Several Texas cities will be in the path of totality, including Dallas, most of Fort Worth, Waco, Temple, most of Austin and parts of San Antonio. Denton is outside the path of totality.
Those outside the path of totality will still see a partial eclipse, with the moon partially covering the sun. But experiencing totality is worth the effort, according to Mary Urquhart, a planetary scientist at the University of Texas at Dallas who witnessed it in Tennessee in 2017.
“It really was a profound experience for me,” said Urquhart. “I know it is for a lot of people. The changes in the environment can be quite dramatic.”
Cities closer to the middle of the path will experience a longer totality. Dallas is predicted to experience about 3 minutes and 52 seconds. Waco, closer to the midline, may experience about 4 minutes and 12 seconds.
For area residents within the path, Urquhart’s advice is to go outside and look up, avoiding tall buildings and trees for a clear view.
Several North Texas institutions, including the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas Arboretum, will host eclipse viewing events. Tickets for the Arboretum are already on sale. Tickets for the Perot Museum go on sale Dec. 13 for museum members and Dec. 15 for non-members.
More events will be announced in the coming months.
Eclipse safety
Looking at a solar eclipse without eye protection is dangerous: the sun’s brightness can damage eyes in seconds. It’s safe to look at the eclipse without glasses during totality but not before or after.
Many online listings for eclipse glasses can be counterfeit, but a list of safe options is available on the American Astronomical Society’s website. Glasses should comply with the International Organization for Standardization’s safety guidelines. (A note on the back of the glasses should say they meet ISO 12312-2 requirements.) Sunglasses are not protective enough.
Area residents can also view the eclipse indirectly by poking a hole through cardboard, using a colander or holding a cracker to project the image of the eclipse onto the ground or a sheet of paper, Urquhart said.
