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City of San Antonio prepares for Annular Solar Eclipse

Published on October 09, 2023

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SAN ANTONIO (October 9, 2023) — This Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, San Antonio will be in the path of the upcoming annular solar eclipse. According to NASA, an annular solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth while the moon is at its farthest point from Earth. Due to that fact, the moon will appear smaller than the sun, and it will not completely cover the light from the sun.

San Antonio is in a prime location for viewing this annular eclipse. Because the sun is never completely covered, observers need to always protect their eyes. For San Antonio, the partial eclipse will begin at 10:23 a.m. and reach its maximum coverage at 11:54 a.m. At its maximum coverage, there will be a “ring of fire” for those viewing with protective glasses. The final portion of the eclipse will end at 1:33 p.m.

As San Antonio prepares for this eclipse, everyone is encouraged to participate safely.

Use approved safe solar viewing glasses (An International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 12312-2:2015 certification)
- Learn more about solar viewing glasses from the American Astronomical Society

Do NOT use regular sunglasses to view the eclipse.
Do NOT look at the sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer.
Be sure you are standing in a safe area. Stay out of roadways and be aware of your surroundings when looking up.

Below is a list of City events this week leading up to and on the day of the eclipse on October 14.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 9

Get Eclipse Ready at McCreless

Monday, October 9 | 5 – 6 p.m.
McCreless Branch Library, 1023 Ada St., 78223

Get ready for the 2023 and 2024 solar eclipse events with information on how to safely view the eclipses, opportunities to talk to subject matter experts, and hands-on activities. Solar eclipse viewing glasses will be available for attendees while supplies last. This program is for all ages.

Teen Time @ Johnston: Glass Galaxy Jar

Monday, October 9 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Johnston Branch Library, 6307 Sun Valley, 78227

Join the Johnston teens as they get eclipse ready with a glass galaxy jar craft. Available while supplies last. Eclipse viewing glasses will be available at this program while supplies last. This program is for ages 13 to 18.

Get Eclipse Ready at Semmes

Monday, October 9 | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Semmes Branch Library, 15060 Judson Rd., 78247

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10

Get Eclipse Ready at Schaefer

Tuesday, October 10 | 4 – 5 p.m.
Schaefer Branch Library, 6322 US Hwy 87 East, 78222

Get Eclipse Ready at Pan American – Come and Go

Tuesday, October 10 | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Pan American Branch Library, 1122 W. Pyron Ave., 78221

Want to get ready for the 2023 and 2024 eclipse events but can’t make it to one of our Get Eclipse Ready programs featuring a presentation by a subject-matter expert? Stop in and view short videos on how to safely view eclipses and receive solar eclipse viewing glasses while supplies last.

Schaefer Adult Craft Program: Sip and Paint: Solar Eclipse

Tuesday, October 10 | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Schaefer Library, 6322 US Hwy 87 East, 78222

We will be painting a solar eclipse with watercolors while sipping on mocktails. All supplies will be provided.

*Please note: eclipse-viewing glasses are not available at this program. Attend a "Get Eclipse Ready" program to receive eclipse glasses while supplies last.*

Get Eclipse Ready at Westfall

Tuesday, October 10 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Westfall Branch Library,6111 Rosedale Ct., 78201

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11

Get Eclipse Ready at Westfall – Come and Go

Wednesday, October 11 | 10am – 5:45pm
Westfall Branch Library, 6111 Rosedale Ct., 78201

Get Eclipse Ready at Pruitt

Wednesday, October 11 | 4:30 – 5:30pm
Pruitt Library, 5110 Walzem Road, 78218

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12

Get Eclipse Ready at Westfall--Come and Go

Thursday, October 12 | 10 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Westfall Branch Library, 6111 Rosedale Ct., 78201

Get Eclipse Ready at Memorial – Come and Go

Thursday, October 12 | 3:30 – 4:30pm
Memorial Branch Library, 3222 Culebra, 78228

Get Eclipse Ready at Forest Hills

Thursday, October 12 | 5 – 6 p.m.
Forest Hills Branch Library, 5245 Ingram Rd., 78228

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13

Get Eclipse Ready at Westfall – Come and Go

Friday, October 13 | 10 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Westfall Branch Library, 6111 Rosedale Ct., 78201

Get Eclipse Ready at Pan American – Come and Go

Friday, October 13 | 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Pan American Branch Library, 1122 W. Pyron Ave., 78221

Get Eclipse Ready at Cody

Friday, October 13 | 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Cody Branch Library, 11441 Vance Jackson, 78230

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14 – DAY OF THE ANNULAR SOLAR ECLIPSE

Camino Verde - Mayor’s Trails Activation Event

Saturday, October 14 | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Southside Lions Park Trailhead, 4008 Pecan Valley Dr.

Get your sneakers ready and join us for a walk, bike ride, and see the solar eclipse during the inaugural Mayor’s Trails Activation event. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with local organizations, Mayor’s Fitness Council representatives, Metro Health, and Parks and Recreation team members.

Woodlawn Eclipse Viewing

Saturday, October 14 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Woodlawn Island House, 501 S. Josephine Tobin

Eclipse glasses will be available as supplies last. Come out and enjoy activities that include pin hole viewers, galaxy slime and an astronaut training camp obstacle course.

Lion’s Field Eclipse Viewing

Saturday, October 14 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Lion’s Field, 2809 Broadway

Eclipse glasses will be available as supplies last. Come out and enjoy games and refreshments. Feel free to bring your chairs to enjoy the eclipse from the Lions Field Softball Field.

Phil Hardberger Park Eclipse Viewing

Saturday, October 14 | 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Phil Hardberger Park, 8400 NW Military & 13203 Blanco Rd.

Eclipse Viewing Glasses and safe viewing information will be available at both sides of the park at Greeter's Tables until Noon. Open Fields will have viewing glasses to distribute, Pinhole Viewing Craft, and Eclipse Grab & Go kits, as well as other park discovery information [natural items, scavenger hunts, etc.]. Once participants retrieve their viewing glasses or pinhole viewers, they are welcome to enjoy the view from anywhere in the park.

Eisenhower Park Viewing

Saturday, October 14 | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Eisenhower Park, 19399 NW Military Hwy.

Eclipse glasses will be available for the first 150 participants. Come and enjoy educational activities including eclipse viewing safety tips, sun and sunspot viewing through a telescope, learning about sun, solar radiation and the greenhouse effect. You can even enjoy a complimentary lemonade.

Media Contacts

Luke Simons
210-207-6925
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