Total solar eclipses can be cruel. They have a narrow path of totality—the shadow of the moon—that has edges. Just like walking out of the shadow of a building on a sunny day, those not in exactly the right place at the right time will notice nothing out of the ordinary. It’s a timely reminder that the consequences of misunderstanding a total solar eclipse can be devastating.
That’s a very real possibility in San Antonio, Texas on April 8.
Edge Of Madness
San Antonio is right on the edge of North America’s imminent total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. As you can see in this animation, the city center will be outside of the path of totality.
It’s a close call, but the 99.9% partial solar eclipse visible from central San Antonio means no totality. Despite a mere 0.1% of the sun showing, it will never get dark, and at no point will onlookers be able to remove their eclipse glasses and see the sun’s white corona glowing in a dark sky. “Folks in the south/east/southeast parts of town will have to move to the other side of town to be in totality,” said Lindsay Fuller, Eclipse Project Manager, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Texas at San Antonio, in an email.
A totality of well over two minutes is possible in San Antonio. However, only those savvy enough to have done their research and traveled to the city’s northwest will see the light levels drop 10,000 times more than the final 0.1% disappears—totality.
“99.9% is still a partial eclipse—and you do not want to miss the awesome spectacle of totality,” said Dr. Angela Speck, professor of astronomy at the University of Texas at San Antonio and co-chair at the AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force, in an email.
Ideal Hub
San Antonio remains an excellent place for eclipse chasers to base themselves. “A long weekend in San Antonio is the ideal hub for the weekend before heading to the northwest area of San Antonio and the Hill Country beyond to catch the total eclipse,” said David Gonzalez, VP of Media Relations & Communications, Visit San Antonio, in an email.
The path of totality is 115 miles wide, and if you head to its center about 60 miles west of San Antonio on Interstate 10, totality will last up to 4 minutes and 26 seconds at Kerrville and Fredericksburg. Thousands of experienced eclipse chasers from across the globe will be staying in hotels in San Antonio for a few days.
Not a single one of them will remain in the city on April 8. Where first-time totality chasers are convinced to watch the eclipse, however, is less obvious.
Forget The Alamo On April 8
Some of San Antonio’s biggest tourist attractions are promoting themselves as excellent places to watch the eclipse when they are anything but. Fancy a Solar Eclipse at the Alamo, the city’s most famous historical site? Until recently its website stated: “The Alamo is the best place to watch the upcoming solar eclipse.” As any eclipse chaser could tell you, the Alamo would be one of the most frustrating places in the world to be at 1:34 p.m. CDT when the event peaks as a 99.94% partial eclipse.
Would you rather be at the Alamo muttering a “hmmm, interesting” or with the map-literate people just a few miles west screaming “Oh my God!” and crying uncontrollably as nature’s most dramatic experience unfolds? I approached the Alamo for a comment but received no reply. Its website has recently changed, and the “best place” claims have now been removed, though it still does not make it obvious that people can experience totality just a few miles away.
Avoid The River Walk
It’s a similar case with the city’s famous River Walk, which is also entirely outside of the path of totality. A public relations executive told me it’s a “prime destination to observe the solar eclipse.” At 99.95%, it’s the exact opposite. Spare a thought for The Moon’s Daughters, an aptly-named rooftop restaurant that will be hosting a Solar Brunch in April. At 99.95%, there will be no main course. I approached the restaurant for a comment but received no reply. More and more eclipse viewing events are appearing on Visit San Antonio from places such as the Hyatt Regency San Antonio, which is selling tickets for $70 for a “Solar Eclipse Viewing Party.” It’s a party destined to fall flat because the magical moment won’t arrive.
A big part of the problem is that on October 14 last year, San Antonio was in the perfect place to experience the annular solar eclipse, better known as a “ring of fire,” and many hotels, restaurants and attractions held events. For April 8, they’re simply repeating and ramping up their events when, really, everyone in San Antonio who can should be heading northwest.
Where To Experience Totality In San Antonio
“Only the northern and western parts of San Antonio are in the path of totality, so whether you’re a San Antonion or a tourist, DO NOT stay downtown or you will miss the show,” said Speck.
Traveling to its northwest suburbs is the bare minimum. “There are a few public spaces in totality—McAllister Park is just inside the path—but there’s lots of open space and parking there,” said Fuller. “Phil Hardberger Park and Eisenhower parks are also open to the public if you can find parking. Otherwise, people will have to find parking lots, such as Targets or churches, that are to the west/north/northwest of the city.”
Here are some places in the northwest of San Antonio that are within the path of totality, along with the duration of totality—according to this map and to National Eclipse:
Perhaps the best place of all to be on April 8 in the vicinity of San Antonio is the Total Solar Eclipse Campus Viewing Party at UTSA East Recreation Field Complex, where Speck herself will narrate a community experience for UTSA students, faculty and staff that will culminate in 2 minutes 30 seconds of totality—among the longest in San Antonio.
So come to San Antonio on April 6., 7 and 10, visit the Alamo and relax on the lively River Walk. But on April 8, everyone in central San Antonio—locals, tourists and eclipse chasers alike—must dash for its northwest suburbs or up to 120 miles beyond. Or regret it forever.
For the latest on all aspects of April 8’s total solar eclipse in North America, check my main feed for new articles each day.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
