See the Annular Solar Eclipse at This Observatory Close to Home
On Saturday, October 14, 2023, a rare and phenomenal celestial event will sweet across Texas - an annular solar eclipse. As the moon covers the sun's center, the outer edge of the sun will remain visible, creating a stunning "ring of fire". Did you just sing Johnny Cash's famous tune out loud? It's okay, we did, too.
Not only will you be able to admire this incredible phenomenon from your own backyard, you could experience this solar eclipse up close at the George Observatory. Located in Needville, The George Observatory, is nestled inside of Brazos Bend State Park. The George Observatory, a Houston Museum of Natural Science facility, houses one of the largest public telescopes in the country. Visitors can enjoy the wonders of the universe with amateur astronomers as they guide you on a journey admiring the night sky constellations, planets in our solar system or deep sky objects out in space. And on October 14, the annular solar eclipse!
Brazos Bend State Park includes a sprawling 5,000 acres of bottomland and upland coastal prairie just outside of the Houston metro area. Make a weekend out of it and take short drive to Needville to camp at Brazos Bend State Park with your family for a fun-filled adventure. Don't have a camper or a tent? They have camping grounds for nearly every style of camping, including shelters for a small fee.
A trail flanking a lake in Brazos Bend State Park. (Source: TPW)The park is home to several types of wetlands, including swamps, lakes, marshes and short-lived ponds that form on the prairies during the rainy season. Over 25 different species of mammals like white-tailed deer, river otters and bobcats call Brazos Bend State Park home, as well as around 21 species of reptiles and amphibians, including the American alligator.
For a truly unique eclipse-watching experience, hang out with George Observatory staff and amateur astronomers on October 14 to witness the moon passing between the Sun and Earth, creating a solar eclipse with a coverage of 87% for the Houston area. The partial eclipse will begin at 10:27 AM and finish by 1:38 PM. Just be sure to purchase your ticket ahead of time! A pair of eclipse glasses are included with your ticket to use while viewing the sun. Duration will be 3 hours and 11 minutes with the maximum being at 11:58.
The George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park (Source: HMNS)
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Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
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