When to watch ‘once in a multi-generation’ solar eclipse across the Big Country

Erica Garner
·2 min read

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – A solar eclipse that one happens once every 500 to 1,000 years is happening in just a few weeks, and most of the Big Country will get to experience it in full or nearly full totality!

The total solar eclipse will occur April 8 beginning around 12:15 p.m. for most of the area and will end around 3:00 p.m., with the peak of the event happening between 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

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Most of the Abilene area and Big Country will experience the eclipse at more than 90% totality.

Abilene will get to see the eclipse at 96.7% totality, with the peak happening at 1:37 p.m., but these West Texas cities will experience the total solar eclipse at 100% totality:

  • Bend

  • Brady

  • Cherokee

  • Hext

  • Junction

  • Katemcy

  • Loyal Valley

  • Mason

  • Pontotoc

  • San Saba

  • Segovia

Check out the following chart from the National Weather Service to see when to view the eclipse in your city:

Total solar eclipses occur when the moon completely blocks out the sun and occur once every 500 to 1,000 years.

“Saying its a ‘once in a lifetime’ event doesn’t even do it justice,” the National Weather Service says. “It’s more of a once in a multi-generation event!”

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In October 2023, much of Texas was also in the path of totality for an annular eclipse, which occurs when the moon is not completely big enough to cover the sun, leaving a “ring of fire” on the outside. This occurs ever 50 to 100 years.

There are also partial solar eclipses, where the moon partially covers the sun, happening most frequently every 5 to 10 years.

“The last total eclipse in San Angelo was in 1397, Abilene in 1713, Sweetwater in 1623, and for most of the area seeing the total eclipse on the 8th, the last total eclipse dates back to 1506!,” the National Weather Service explains.

Get more information on the upcoming solar eclipse on the Eclipse 2024 section of BigCountryHomepage.com.

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