It has been a while — 400 years to be exact — since Cleburne and other parts of North Texas experienced a total solar eclipse. The last one listed for Dallas and surrounding areas occurred Oct. 23, 1623.
Which is why excitement is building as April 8 draws nearer when Cleburne, Hillsboro and areas adjacent will fall within the path of just such an eclipse.
“It’s been many years since the last one,” said Dr. Sagar Paudel, assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Hill College. “I’m eagerly looking forward to next year and the opportunity to see this rare wonder.”
Hillsboro marks the optimal locale for experiencing the eclipse but Cleburne and Johnson County will make for prime viewing spots as well, Paudel said.
For most, four centuries must seem a bit of a wait between eclipses no doubt, Paudel added, but North Texas is actually on average.
“In average, total eclipses are visible every 400 years from any one place,” Paudel said. “That varies, of course. Some parts of Illinois, Missouri and Kentucky experienced total eclipse in 2017 and will experience one again next year.”
On the other hand, the wait for a total solar eclipse stretches much longer in other parts of the world, Paudel said.
“The last one in Los Angeles occurred May 22, 1724 and they won’t see another one until April 1, 3290,” Paudel said. “So, a stretch of 1,565.9 years between the two occurrences.”
The path of an annular solar eclipse will cross a portion of Texas on Oct. 14 but not the North Texas area.
Source : Weatherford
