3 minute read
DID YOU KNOW the last total solar eclipse in the RGV was in 1900?
By Dr. Kimberly Selber | Photo Credit: Lisa Zinz, 2017
On April 8, 2024, an astronomical event of significant rarity—a total solar eclipse— will captivate the Rio Grande Valley and much of Texas. Its occurrence is generating a buzz of anticipation, as it offers a phenomenon that the Valley hasn’t seen in over a hundred years.
The last time the Rio Grande Valley experienced a total solar eclipse was May 2, 1900, with total visibility across the entire RGV. Such rarity makes the upcoming eclipse not just a celestial event but a historic moment for the region. Eclipses of this magnitude are rare and fleeting, with the apex lasting less than five minutes. NASA predicts the Rio Grande Valley will be on the path of totality next on May 11, 2078.
PATH OF TOTALITY: AN ECLIPSE’S SWEET SPOT
Observers in the path of totality will experience a complete obscuration of the sun by the moon, revealing the sun’s ethereal corona and casting a surreal twilight over the landscape. The 2024 eclipse is noteworthy for its path of totality, which will enter North America between Eagle Pass and Del Rio, Texas, and sweep up through San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas before heading towards Maine. The Rio Grande Valley is just outside of this path. However, according to NASA, the RGV will view approximately 88-93% maximum coverage of the eclipse.
EXTENDED DURATION OF DARKNESS
What sets the 2024 eclipse apart is its unusually long duration. In the Rio Grande Valley, the eclipse will begin at about 12:08 PM, reach a peak coverage at about 1:28 PM, and last approximately four and a half minutes, significantly longer than many past eclipses. This extended darkness will offer ample time for the public and scientists to observe and study the sun’s elusive corona, solar flares, and other phenomena hidden during a normal day. Depending on where you are geographically, the daytime darkness will put on display planets that are generally not visible during the day.
SCIENTIFIC BONANZA
An eclipse presents a golden opportunity for scientific research, particularly in astrophysics. The element helium, for example, was first detected in the sun’s spectrum during the solar eclipse of 1868 before it was found on Earth. This discovery highlighted the importance of solar observations in advancing astronomical and chemical knowledge. Fifty-one years later, the 1919 solar eclipse provided the first experimental validation of Einstein’s theory of general relativity. Observations during the eclipse showed that the sun’s gravity could bend the light from stars, a prediction of general relativity confirming its accuracy over the Newtonian model of gravity.
VIEWING THE ECLIPSE SAFELY
As exciting as it may be, it’s crucial to remember the importance of viewing the eclipse safely. Eclipse glasses designed specifically for solar observation, not just regular sunglasses, or pinhole cameras are mandatory to protect your eyes from harmful solar radiation. Additionally, if you’re considering using binoculars, a camera, or a telescope, make sure they’re equipped with solar filters tailored for this purpose. Ordinary filters or viewing the sun through any optical device without proper solar filtration can lead to immediate and severe eye damage. Remember, even when using solar viewers, never combine them with other optical instruments; the intense solar rays can penetrate and damage the filter, risking severe eye injury.
