Solar Eclipses in former years

Since day one, Texas has witnessed numerous solar eclipses.

In most recent years, it was reported in The Gatesville Messenger on March 5, 1970, that a “100-mile shadow will darken the face of the earth.” The article continued, “The largest area of the covered sun to be seen in Texas is 73.5 percent, according to the U.S. Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratory.”

In 1970, it was reported that in Gatesville the eclipse would be “lasting for more than two hours, the moon will appear to leave the surface of the sun, and the eclipse will end at 1:13 p.m.”

Also reported in the 1970 Gatesville Messenger article was that the last visible total solar eclipse in the United States had occurred in 1963 and the next total eclipse would be visible on April 8, 2024.

Once again, in 1979, The Gatesville Messenger reported another eclipse notice. “A few Gatesvilleites paused long enough in their daily doings to gaze up into the sky. Those that did noticed something was eating the sun. What it was, was a solar eclipse.” The article continued, “Bob Scott didn’t miss it as he gazed through two exposed negatives, and Bill Herridge also took pictures constructed by a device for viewing the eclipse.”

In 1984, it was reported that Waldean Cummings, secretary of the Gatesville Chamber of Commerce, took a glimpse at the shadowed pattern of the sun as the moon separated the earth’s path from the sun causing the eclipse. An article written about the 1984 eclipse stated that “The only notable change in the sunlight was a hazy, subdued sky as the sun was only partially blocked (approximately 80%), leaving a lighted area resembling a quarter moon.”

It was also reported in 1984 that onlookers viewed the phenomenon through welder’s helmets which were supplied by Raymond Massirer and Mike Blanchard.

Over the years, Texas has witnessed many solar eclipses, one of which, in 1878, acclaimed national attention.

In July of 1878, a group of astronomers from across the United States descended on a small farm just outside of Fort Worth to study and photograph a total solar eclipse. The astronomers’ discoveries were eventually published in 1879 in a book titled “Report of the Observations of the Total Solar Eclipse July 29, 1878, Made at Fort Worth, Texas.”

One of the earliest eclipses in Texas was estimated to be in the year 1397 – 626 years ago in the region now known as our state capital in Austin.

After April 8, 2024, the next solar eclipse to be witnessed in Texas will be in August of 2044.