A spectacular solar eclipse will be visible across eight U.S. states in October, and one beach in Texas was named among the best places to watch it.
This astronomical event, expected around noon on Saturday, October 14, will be the first visible to Americans since 2012, per Space.com.
As such, this “ring of fire” show deserves a bit of extra preparation to be viewed in the best way possible.
For Texans, Space.com recommends watching it from the Padre Island National Seashore.
The solar eclipse will be visible there at 11:56 a.m. on October 14. It will appear at 49 degrees above the south-southeast horizon.
Its northernmost beach, Whitecap Beach, offers the longest window of visibility — 4 minutes and 52 seconds, to be precise.
Yet this national park is spectacular in its own right.
It is situated on Padre Island, the world’s longest undeveloped barrier island. It boasts 66 miles of wild coastline and serves as a pitstop for nearly half of all North American migratory bird species.
Padre Island National Seashore was named on a list of the best remote beaches to visit in the U.S. in 2023 by The Independent, a British newspaper, as The Dallas Express previously reported.
It is about 60 miles from Corpus Christi. There are fees to enter the park, with options ranging from a one-day vehicle pass for $10 to an annual pass for $45.
October’s solar eclipse might also be visible in San Antonio if you prefer a more urban setting. The city has a page dedicated to this and another astronomical event that is expected in April of next year.
There is always the risk of a cloudy sky ruining your eclipse experience, so it is best to watch the weather forecasts just to be sure.
No matter what, it is important to avoid directly looking into the sun without proper eye protection, per Space.com.
Investing in a pair of solar eclipse glasses will ensure that the ultraviolet and infrared rays that can cause severe damage to your retina are filtered out.
