SAN ANTONIO, Texas (September 28, 2023) – The Witte Museum launches a series of space-themed exhibitions and events beginning with the October 14, 2023 Annular Eclipse in San Antonio. Head to the Witte that day to get free eclipse glasses and safely view the eclipse, learn more about eclipses in the newly unveiled Eclipse Encounters exhibit and participate in eclipse- and space-related activities across the museum campus all day long, including following the eclipse’s “last contact.” All activities and exhibits are free for Witte Members or included with Museum Admission, which can be purchased at WitteMuseum.org.
The partial annular eclipse begins around 10:23 a.m. on Saturday, October 14 in San Antonio with the peak of the eclipse happening around 11:54 a.m. All museum visitors during this time will receive complimentary eclipse glasses for safe viewing from the museum campus, which is in the path of the annular solar eclipse, and learn about eclipse science at the new Eclipse Encounters exhibit and through activations at the museum. KENS 5 weather chief Bill Taylor and meteorologist Paul Mireles will be on hand that morning to answer eclipse-related questions for a special Saturday with a Scientist, and Welcome to Earth, a temporary exhibit featuring five meteorites that recently landed in South Texas, will also be on display at the museum.
The eclipse fun doesn’t stop with the eclipse’s “last contact” (the end of an eclipse when the moon no longer covers any part of the sun). The Last Contact Party at the Witte is from 1 to 4 p.m. Create eclipse-related art, make an orbit model of the Sun, Earth & Moon and participate in many other space-related activities. You can even make an origami rocket that launches into the air!
Memorialize your annular eclipse experience with exclusive 2023 ‘Ring of Fire’ annular eclipse t-shirts and stickers, available for purchase at the Bolner Family Museum Store at the Witte Museum.
The year of space continues at the Witte following the annular eclipse festivities. In preparation for the 2024 total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, the Witte Museum is placing pop-up exhibits throughout San Antonio, generously supported by the Simons Foundation, to share information about the upcoming total eclipse and to encourage residents to prepare to view it safely in totality. From October 28 – February 11 the museum hosts the special exhibition Explore Your World, a highly interactive experience featuring information about how the stars and satellites help with navigation and communication. From March 2 – September 2, visitors can discover what it takes to survive outer space in the special exhibition Surviving Space: Astronauts & Asteroids.
Visit www.SanAntonioEclipse.org for more information about upcoming eclipse-related events and activities.
Eclipse Outreach programming at the Witte Museum is generously supported by the Simons Foundation. Promotional support is generously provided by KENS 5.
Event Listing
Annular Eclipse Viewing & Last Contact Party
October 14, 2023, Eclipse Viewing, starting at 10:23 a.m., Last Contact Party from 1 – 4 p.m.
Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway in San Antonio, TX
Excited about the Annular Solar Eclipse? Want the fun to continue after it’s over?
Visit the Witte on October 14 to see the Annular Eclipse and get free eclipse glasses. Then learn more about what you witnessed at the Last Contact Party. Explore sky & space, create eclipse-inspired art and see real meteorites in the New Discoveries: Welcome to Earth exhibit.
Included with Museum Admission, which is available at WitteMuseum.org.
