The Museum will be closed on Thursday, November 23, for the Thanksgiving holiday. We will re-open on Friday, November 24, at 10 a.m.
October 14, 2023 starting at approximately 10:23 a.m. in San Antonio
April 8, 2024 starting at approximately 12:14 p.m. in San Antonio
Within the next seven months, San Antonio will experience a rare marvel—two solar eclipses. A total solar eclipse occurs somewhere in the world about once every 18 months. However, it is rare for the same location to see two within such a short time span.
On October 14, 2023, we will witness an annular eclipse. Then on April 8, 2024, we will see a total eclipse.
Since 1851, only four annular eclipses and two total eclipses have gone through parts of Texas—and it continues to be a rare occurrence. After the 2023 annular eclipse, the next one in Texas won’t be until 2056. The next total solar eclipse after 2024 will be in 2045. Be sure to mark your calendars!
Eclipse maps by NASA Scientific Visualization Studio.
Start time: 10:23 a.m. / Maximum: 11:54 a.m.
Total time of maximum: 4 minutes 21 seconds
End time: 1:33 p.m.
Start time: 12:14 p.m. / Maximum: 1:34 p.m.
Total time of maximum: 4 minutes 25 seconds
End time: 2:55 p.m.
This map is updated regularly. Please continue to check back for additional information about events, programs and other opportunities to experience and learn about the upcoming eclipses.
Event locations include: (1) Scobee Education Center, (2) The DoSeum, (3) Witte Museum, (4) Government Canyon State Natural Area, (5) Eisenhower Park Mass Pavilion, (6) Phil Hardberger Park (West), (7) Phil Hardberger Park (East), (8) Camino Verde Event at Southside Lions Park Trailhead, (9) San Antonio Museum of Art, (10) Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center, (11) Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, (12) San Jose Mission Education Center.
View the Annular Eclipse at the Witte Museum. Announcements will be made and all guests will be invited to go outside and experience the eclipse maximum from the museum campus. Plus, stay afterwards for the Last Contact Party! Explore sky & space, create eclipse-inspired art, meet scientists and see real meteorites in the New Discoveries: Welcome to Earth exhibit.
Cost: Free with Museum Admission.
Have questions about the annular eclipse? Ask the KENS 5 Weather Team! Join Bill Taylor, Weather Chief, and Paul Mireles, meteorologist, at the Witte Museum during the annular eclipse. Taylor and Mireles will be on-site to answer your questions about solar movement, what to expect during an eclipse and the importance of safety while viewing one.
Cost: Free with Museum Admission.
This exclusive event includes viewing of the eclipse and guided tours to two rock art sites, The Tinaja, a vital source of water for the People of the Pecos, and the famous White Shaman mural. A boxed lunch, Witte Museum eclipse glasses and commemorative t-shirt are included.
Cost: $150 per person. Reservations are required and spaces are limited.
An eclipse occurs when one space object blocks our view of another.
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon blocks the Sun’s light from reaching the Earth. As the Moon crosses between the sun and Earth, it casts a shadow on Earth.
An annular eclipse is a solar eclipse that occurs when the Moon is at its greatest distance from the Earth, called apogee. The Moon appears smaller to our eyes, and it is not able to block the entirety of the sun’s light. The result is a “ring of fire” in which the Sun’s light is visible around the edges of the Moon.
When the view of the Sun is completely blocked by the Moon, regions in the Moon’s shadow experience a total solar eclipse. Totality is a rare, one-of-a-kind experience that people travel the world to view.
Looking directly at the Sun can cause severe and permanent damage to your eyes. So how do we view an eclipse safely?
While the Moon slowly blocks the Sun, it is essential to wear certified solar eclipse glasses or use a special pinhole projector. Regular sunglasses, camera filters or other improvised methods are not safe for directly viewing the sun.
During a total eclipse, you can view it without eye protection only during time that the Sun is completely covered by the Moon and the sky is dark. After that, be sure to put your eclipse glasses back on!
Glasses meeting the ISO 12312-2 certification requirements are available for purchase at the Bolner Family Museum Store inside the Witte Museum.
Click on an image below to view the San Antonio annular eclipse simulator from Eclipse2024.org.
Are you an educator looking for eclipse-related learning material? You can find educational resources from our STEM Ecosystem partners online.
This website created in partnership with the Alamo STEM Ecosystem, bridging youth, community and workforce.
Eclipse Outreach Programming is generously supported by the Simons Foundation. Promotional support is generously provided by KENS 5.
WITTE MUSEUM and all related brands are ® & ™ the Witte Museum.
© 2023 The Witte Museum, San Antonio, Texas
The Witte Museum
Nature, Science & Culture
3801 Broadway
San Antonio, Texas 78209
Phone: 210.357.1900
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