A total solar eclipse will cross over Texas on April 8, but even if you stay in Houston and aren’t in the path of totality, you’ll have a great view.
KPRC 2 Insiders can get geared up for next month’s big solar event during spring break week. Our team will be at several popular spring break stops starting March 11 with eclipse glasses on hand.
The first 1,000 KPRC 2 Insiders to stop by our tent each day will get two pairs of eclipse glasses.
- Not an Insider yet? It’s free to join! Sign up here.
☀️Scroll down for our list of locations and times. Supplies are limited.
About the April 8 eclipse
Only those in the path of totality, which is pictured on the map below, will see a true total eclipse when the moon fully blocks the sun. The eclipse will begin on April 8 around noon. Totality in the United States will occur starting at 1:30 p.m. near Del Rio, Texas and then move northeast across the country. Totality for spectators in the path will be around 4 minutes.
Those in the greater Houston area will experience a partial eclipse with 94% of the sun covered.
How to safely view the eclipse
Wherever you plan to be on April 8, you will need to take precautions to protect your eyes in order to view the eclipse. KPRC 2 meteorologist Anthony Yanez shared how to make your own pinhole projector before the last partial eclipse in October 2023.
You can also wear eclipse glasses, but you must take precautions to make sure they meet international safety standards. According to the American Astronomical Society (AAS), glasses should be labeled with ISO 12312-2. Since fraudulent glasses are sold, you can also make sure the vendor who made your glasses is reputable by checking the AAS list of Reputable Vendors of Solar Filters and Viewers.
As mentioned, KPRC 2 is hooking up thousands of KPRC 2 Insiders with certified, safe glasses. We’ll meet our Insiders at multiple locations during the week of March 11 - March 15.
Just stop by our KPRC 2/Click2Houston tent at the locations and times below and show us you’re signed in as an Insider on Click2Houston.com or on the KPRC 2 News app to claim your glasses while supplies last.
KPRC 2′s SPRING BREAK SOLAR BLAST SCHEDULE
- MONDAY, March 11 - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Houston Zoo - 6200 Hermann Park Dr. | Houston
- TUESDAY, March 12 - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Discovery Green - 1500 McKinney St. | Houston
- WEDNESDAY, March 13 - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Moody Gardens - 1 Hope Blvd. | Galveston
- THURSDAY, March 14 - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Houston Museum of Natural Science Sugar Land - 13016 University Blvd. | Sugar Land
- FRIDAY, March 15 - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Children’s Museum Houston - 1500 Binz St. | Houston
Photographing the eclipse
If you can’t make it to our tent, KPRC 2 has partnered with Houston Camera Exchange for our Spring Break Solar Blast week. They’ll be sharing information on air with us during “Houston Life” on how to safely view and photograph the eclipse.
Houston Camera Exchange, located at 5900 Richmond Ave., has multiple products available for purchase including eclipse glasses and filters for your camera, phone, or telescope. You won’t be able to capture the eclipse on your device without the proper gear.
Houston Camera Exchange will host an eclipse photography workshop on March 16. You can learn more and get ticket information here.
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