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Solar Eclipse 2017 in Central Texas

Published 
Weather
FOX 7 Austin
Solar_eclipse_scams_0_20170821145707 article

Central Texans will only be getting a partial view of the “Great Eclipse” happening Monday but there have still been a lot of people excited about the celestial event.

NASA says the total eclipse will stretch from Lincoln Beach, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. The last time the contiguous U.S. saw one was in 1979. It's essentially when the moon moves right in front of the sun, covering it completely for a very short time. Texas will see a partial solar eclipse, where the moon covers part of the sun's disk. According to NASA, it will begin around 11:41 a.m. and will peak around 1:10 p.m.

The only safe way to look at an uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is by using eclipse glasses or a hand-held solar viewer. They have to be dark enough so light can't pass through. If not, you can damage your eyes.

NASA has some safety tips for those planning to view the eclipse:

  • Always inspect your solar filter before use; if scratched or damaged, discard it.
  • If you are outside the path of totality, which includes Texas, you must always use a safe solar filter to view the sun directly.  
  • Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device.

Here are local eclipse events for Monday, August 21:

  • Great American Solar Eclipse Star Party Bastrop State Park - Historic Golf Shelter 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
  • Bastrop State Park - Historic Golf Shelter
  • 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
  • Round Rock Solar Eclipse Viewing Party Prete Main Street Plaza Round Rock, 221 E. Main Street 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  • Prete Main Street Plaza Round Rock, 221 E. Main Street
  • 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  • UT Solar Eclipse Viewing Party RLM 13.132 and other locations around campus  11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  • RLM 13.132 and other locations around campus 
  • 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  • Austin Public Library - Howson Branch viewing party 2500 Exposition Blvd. 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. 
  • 2500 Exposition Blvd.
  • 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. 
  • Pflugerville Public Library viewing party 1008 W. Pfluger Street 11:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
  • 1008 W. Pfluger Street
  • 11:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
  • Wells Branch Community Library Eclipse Viewing Party 15001 Wells Port Drive 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  • 15001 Wells Port Drive
  • 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  • Buda Library Solar Eclipse Party 303 Main Street  12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  • 303 Main Street 
  • 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  • Taylor Public Library Solar Eclipse Viewing 801 Vance Street 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
  • 801 Vance Street
  • 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
  • Eclipse Day Party at Texas Museum of Science & Technology 1220 Toro Grande Drive 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • 1220 Toro Grande Drive
  • 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Eclipse Viewing and Digital Planetarium Eclipse Show @ Austin Science & Nature Center 2389 Stratford Drive 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  • 2389 Stratford Drive
  • 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  • Balcones Park Viewing Party 12017 Amherst Drive 1:10 p.m.
  • 12017 Amherst Drive
  • 1:10 p.m.