Last week I wrote about solar eclipses, the kinds of solar eclipses, and the importance of using safety equipment when observing the Sun.
This week I’ll talk about the annular solar eclipse coming up, a bit on the total solar eclipse in 2024, and a Sun Party scheduled for May 20.
October 14, 2023 – the Annular Solar Eclipse
The path of maximum eclipse duration follows a line you can draw between Corpus Christi and Hondo, and beyond in both directions. There is a wider path of annularity that encompasses the San Antonio area and extends into the western side of New Braunfels. The farther from maximum the shorter duration of annularity, and New Braunfels is just on one edge. More eastern and northern areas in New Braunfels, and Canyon Lake will have a partial solar eclipse.
Here are some local stats: For your community go to timeanddate.com/eclipse.
New Braunfels – Partial begins at 10:24, Annularity begins at 11:54:06, duration 52 seconds.
Bulverde – Partial begins at 10:23:37, Annularity begins at 11:52:24, duration 3 minutes 7 seconds.
Schertz – Partial begins at 10:23:58, Annularity begins at 11:52:52, duration 3 minutes 15 seconds.
April 8, 2024 – the Total Solar Eclipse
Unfortunately, New Braunfels will be on the outskirts and not have totality. Canyon Lake will experience totality.
The importance of safety when viewing the Sun cannot be over emphasized. Looking at the Sun without proper protection can damage your eyes, maybe permanently.
DO NOT USE: Sunglasses, polaroid filters, smoked glass, exposed film, mylar packaging, photo filters.
Solar eyeglasses: These come in a few forms, from inexpensive cardboard to custom made designer. The important parts are the filters. The key…make sure they are certified ISO 12312-2, also labeled ISO 12312-2:2015. Some reputable places to get them are earthsky.org, astronomy.com, skyandtelescope.com, agenaastro.com, telescope.com. You can check with your local library, school science department, or local hobby shops too. They come in two forms, aluminized mylar or black polymer. The aluminized will show a bluish white Sun and the black polymer will show an orange Sun.
Welder’s glasses: make sure they are #14 or darker.
The filters above are NOT for use with binoculars or other optical magnifying devices. They are only for directly viewing the Sun.
Solar filters for telescopes or binoculars: They are available from the suppliers I listed above and are placed at the front of telescope or binoculars. If you have a telescope that came with an eyepiece Sun filter DO NOT USE IT! They frequently crack and become dangerous.
Projection: With small telescopes or binoculars the image can be projected onto a piece of paper or cardboard.
Pinholes: A small hole in a piece of paper, a colander, anything with small holes will produce an image of the eclipse on the ground or piece of paper.
What’s in the Sky?
May 20: Tye Preston Memorial Library in Canyon Lake – Sun Party starting at 2pm – prep for the eclipses!
May 20: Dot’s Spots, 5080 Purgatory Rd. New Braunfels – 5pm – Land & Sky Celebration benefiting Comal County Conservation Alliance and Comal County Friends of the Night Sky. For details – go to landandsky.ticketspice.com, comalconservation.org, or comaldarksky.org.