By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian  

Picture courtesy of Arnoldo Gomez 

 While the date of Monday, April 8th’s Total Solar Eclipse has been anticipated well in advance, the weather forecast for clouds that day was only announced several days before the spectacular event. 

  Heavy cloud cover blanketed the skies Monday Morning and throughout the day. Numerous visitors from other states and other countries arrived in Uvalde and the County but the anticipated bumper to bumper traffic and vehicles lining the the major roadways did not happen here. 

  Garner State Park’s Day passes were sold out the day of the eclipse and it was reported that breaks in the clouds afforded viewers the gosh wow views of a blackened out solar disk with the sun’s corona shining around it.

While Uvalde CISD canceled its classes that day,  Knippa ISD has many grade school age children playing on its  playground at approximately 1:31 when totality began, 

 The Hesperian viewed the eclipse along with a neighbor who was in Knippa near the school. 

 While the clouds did not allow for any views of the sun, an strange darkness quickly fell over the area with lights shining from inside the school as if it was evening twilight time. 

 “It is history in the making,” Knippa resident Hilda Chavez said while taking in the experience. 

  After the four minutes and a few seconds of totally elapsed, the daylight returned as quickly as it left almost as if it never happened. 

  While there were many who posted on Facebook that they had caught a glimpse of the phenomena, it is unclear who didn’t, but experiencing darkness during the middle of the day with a sudden temperature drop provided an experience to be remembered for many if not all. 

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

 With totality just a few hours away, visitors from all over the country and world have arrived in Uvalde to see the April 8th, Total Solar Eclipse. At about 8:30 AM several tour buses were seen parked at the Tex Best Parking lot with some travelers standing outside. Despite overcast skies several people the Uvalde Hesperian have talked to have traveled a long way to see the eclipse within Totality’s Path.

The Hesperian spoke with a couple who were seen near El Progreso Library’s electronic marquee showing an image of a total solar eclipse and a countdown clock. The couple said they stayed at a hotel in Pearsall because all the rooms at local hotels and motels were booked. The man said they planned on heading to the Nueces River near Highway 90 where the center line of totality is located.

Another group was spotted assembled in the parking lot of the Ssgt. Willie de Leon Civic Center this morning at about 9:15 AM with all wearing matching ellipse T-shirts. The group consisted of people from Colorado, Arizona and other states joined by some who traveled all the way from Sweden.

While traveling around town, several visitors were seen visiting the Robb School Memorial area at the corner of Geraldine Street and Old Carrizo Road and also several visitors were seen at the Downtown Square looking at each of the crosses around the fountain.

While traffic was busy this morning on Main Street and a few RVs were seen parked at the Walmart Parking lot, motorists have yet to park along the roadways to view the eclipse but that may happen shortly before the eclipse begins.

The eclipse process will start in Uvalde at 12:12 PM according to Timeanddate.com 

Totality will occur at 1:31 PM and will last for 4 minutes 16 seconds

The eclipse will be completely over at 2:52 PM.

Press release from El Progreso Memorial Library

Main picture by Robinson

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

Photo by Robinson

  Many Uvaldeans and area residents watched Saturday morning as the moon’s disk started covering the sun starting about 10:20 AM and then reaching annularity shortly before noon. For much of the morning, it was not known if the heavy morning cloud cover would allow for a view of the astronomical spectacle.  During the day, photos of the eclipse and selfie photos of people wearing eclipse glasses glutted Facebook.   Predictions of tens of thousands of eclipse chasers coming to Uvalde County did not pan out. 

  Yet, the eclipse was a free event; people could, at least for a few moments,  enjoy gathering with others to witness the beauty and power of nature working together and to be reminded of a much bigger reality just overhead. 

 While the 2023 Annular Eclipse is now a part of local history, the big show is yet to come: the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse which for a few minutes will plunge the area into darkness. 

 Keep those eclipse glasses; you will need them.

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

Saturday morning, October 14th, the Uvalde County Stellar Fest will be happening at Garner State Park with three pavilions and a special Solar Eclipse Village (pre-registration required) featuring special solar eclipse programs, astronomy and STEM exhibits, workshops and viewing opportunities available to the public.

“Come along and talk with friendly solar researchers, astrophysicists. science graduates, STEM Educators, eclipse chasers, NOYCE scholars, and local tour and community reps all weekend. We look forward to talking to you!” – quote from the Stellarfest events schedule.

Pre-registration must be made by 8 PM Friday, October 13th in order to get a free pass to the Solar Eclipse Village where professional astronomers and eclipse chasers will have solar telescopes and special programs happening starting Saturday morning through Saturday evening.

Click on link here by 8 PM Friday Night for your pass to the Solar Eclipse Village at Garner State Park

Solar Eclipse Village passes are then emailed out to those who preregister prior to the deadline.