What to know about this weekend’s annular eclipse
(Seguin) — One of nature’s most awe-inspiring displays is set to cross over Central Texas this weekend, and all of Guadalupe County is going to have a great view. The annular solar eclipse will take place this Saturday, peaking just before noon.
But before you head out to stare into the sky, here are some important tips to protect your eyes and cameras while experiencing this rare event.
PROTECT YOUR EYES
At no point during the eclipse should you view the event without eye protection. Unlike a total solar eclipse, you will not be able to remove your glasses during totality. Instead, the sun will appear as a ring of fire around the moon as it reaches annularity.
Exposure to the sun without proper protection can cause “eclipse blindness” or burns on your retinas, causing long-term visual damage.
NASA recommends glasses with ISO 12312-2 stamped on them, so whether you buy online or locally, make sure you’ve got the right lenses.
It’s also important to remember to put your glasses on before you look at the eclipse and then look away before taking them off.
PROTECT YOUR CAMERA
Knowing the sun can damage your eyes, it may come as no surprise that it can also damage your phone’s camera (or any camera). According to NASA, viewing the eclipse through your camera lens, telescope, or other device with or without wearing eclipse glasses or a solar viewer is also not advised, as the rays may burn through the filter.
To protect your phone or other camera, you’ll need a lens filter with the same level of protection as your solar glasses.
ENJOY THE EVENT
While solar eclipses occur somewhere on the planet around every 18 months, some sources estimate that they only happen once every 300-400 years in a given location. That would typically make this a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Luckily for Texans, though, a total solar eclipse will be headed this way in April of next year. During that one, the moon will completely block out the sun.
The Seguin community has many local eclipse parties to choose from this weekend, with the Seguin Public Library and others hosting events. The city of Seguin falls on the grazing zone of the eclipse, meaning you’ll be able to see it, but the effect won’t quite be full-blown. If you’re looking for a better view, consider heading west to reach the full eclipse zone, where the annularity duration will be longer.
The annular solar eclipse begins on the West coast in Oregon around 9:13 a.m. PT and will peak over Guadalupe County at around 11:53 a.m.
With this once-in-a-lifetime event happening on a Saturday, families are encouraged to prepare by having those glasses handy. Folks will not want to be caught without them outside as they enjoy those sporting events, pumpkin patch outings, or that long list of events at the Guadalupe County Fair.
Locations hosting free eclipse viewing parties for the entire community include the Seguin Public Library, A.J. Briesemeister Middle School; Emanuel’s Lutheran Church, BS Brewing, Morning Buzz Coffee Company in McQueeney, and the Guadalupe Valley Habitat Restore.