The big day has finally arrived − the 2024 solar eclipse will draw millions to look skyward. Thousands have traveled to see it, some even crossing oceans just to catch a glimpse.
So, what final details should you remember as you enjoy the celestial event? Take a look.
Check back throughout the day for live updates from Austin and statewide:
3:40 p.m. The eclipse has left the building
The eclipse ended in the Austin area around 3 p.m., but it will live in our hearts, fond memories and photos that you can purchase forever. If you did happen to glance at the sun and you're worried about eclipse blindness, you can check out the symptoms here. If you're wondering what to with your eclipse glasses, we have suggestions here.
Amazingly, traffic in the Texas capital remains manageable. According to Google, a trip from Zilker Park to the departures gate at Austin Bergstrom is currently only 26 minutes. If you're on your way out of Austin, we hope you've enjoyed your stay. If you're a local, thanks for joining us on this celestial journey and we hope to connect again soon!
2:08 p.m.: Early post-eclipse traffic snarls are not as bad as anticipated
For weeks, we've been preparing for a crush of visitors that would overwhelm Austin roads and turn I-35 into a parking lot. 30 minutes after totality, the roads are looking surprisingly clear. According to Google maps, a trip from the Texas State Capitol to the airport was only 18 minutes. That same trip from Zilker Park is 22 minutes. Travel from the Long Center's eclipse event to Pflugerville was 29 minutes and the same trip up to Cedar Park was 27 minutes.
1:54 p.m. Students and adults at Reilly Elementary danced under the moon-darkened sky
As the day became dark at Reilly Elementary, children and adults alike ran around in glee, cheering the once-in-a-lifetime event.
As the sun again began poking out from behind the moon’s showdown, Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” rang out from a speaker as students broke into a dance party.
1:47 p.m. Zilker Park erupted in cheers during a brief glance of the ring of fire
Persistent cloud cover didn't deter a crowd of eclipse watchers at Zilker Park who camped on the great lawn and cheered each time the sun peeked out from behind the clouds (and the moon). As the city moved into totality there was a momentary appearance of the full ring as the moon passed over the sun. It was very brief but the full park saw it and erupted into cheers They cheered several times while the ring was visible, when it appeared absolutely darkest and then as orange hues started to illuminate the otherwise very gray sky at the end.
1:35 p.m. Austin, we have hit.....TOTALITY!
Oh snap! It's dark. It's suddenly chilly. Stop reading this right now and look up at the sky! Take a deep breath. Listen for crickets. Think celestial thoughts. Experience the magic. Totality in most of the city will last for less than two minutes.
12:25 p.m.: The eclipse is a 'twice in a lifetime' experience for this family
We caught up with the Schuster family, who traveled from Annapolis, Maryland for the eclipse, at the Texas Capitol.
This is the family's second time traveling for a total solar eclipse, after visiting Columbia, South Carolina in 2017. Addison Schuster turned 21 on the trip to Texas, and the family came to Austin because he had wanted to visit the city for years. They've done some shopping, sampled some Texas BBQ, and made a stop at Dirty Sixth one night.
They are hopeful the eclipse is visible in the next hour, but feel confident there will be noticeable effects no matter what.
12:17 p.m. It's starting! There's sun (sort of)! Go look at the sky!
It's go time, Austin! The solar eclipse will be visible from the Austin area from 12:17 p.m. to 2:58 p.m., with totality from 1:35 p.m. to 1:38 p.m. Not in Austin? Here's more eclipse time information.
11:52 a.m.: Eclipse watchers gather at the Long Center for the city's best skyline view
Twelve thousand people registered to watch the spectacular solar eclipse from the Long Center, but only the first 5,000 will make it onto the Hartman Lawn. Thousands more will spill out along Ladybird Lake and bridges connecting the downtown area. The sun keeps peeking in and out of the light cloud cover as everyone hopes for a clear view of the moon overtaking the sun.
“We keep saying it’s like dramatic effect,” says Cory Baker, the CEO of the Long Center. “I’m hoping it’s gonna burn off and we’re going to have clear skies.”
Tote bags, glasses, pens and journals are given to everyone who enters, not a blade of grass is expected to be seen with wall-to-wall onlookers hoping to catch the natural event.
“(Eclipses) happen every 18 months so it’s not that they’re rare on the planet,” says Ivvet Modinou, the Senior Vice President for Science Society and Culture for the Simons Foundation, “but for it to intersect with the place you call home is very rare.”
Libby Amos, 6, and Emma, 4, posed with their friend Lydia Witherspoon in the frame picture spot overlooking the city.
“It’s very, very, super duper cool,” says Libby who came with her Louisiana family.
“I used to teach eighth grade earth and space science and it was so fun to teach to my students and it’s just so cool to share with my kids now,” says Libby and Emma’s mom Madeline Brown.
The doors opened at 11 a.m. with the Mother Nature spectacular expected at 1:35 p.m.
11:17 a.m.: An estimated 40% of camp sites at Pace Bend Park in Spicewood are unoccupied
Out at Pace Bend Park in Spicewood, there are clouds and campers and also several unoccupied camping sites. Every site that's unoccupied has a Reserved tag on it. It was the same story on Sunday. Where are the campers? Where are the eclipsers?
The primitive corner of Pace Bend's campground is between half- and three-fourths filled. Perhaps it is the threat of clouds, and possibly even rain, during today's eclipse that's keeping the campers away: Pace Bend's sites are all reserved, a camp employee said, but she estimated that 40% of the reserved sites are currently unoccupied.
"Let's manifest sunlight," said one camper earlier this morning.
11:09 a.m.: Texas Eclipse Festival in Burnet canceled due to potential severe weather
The Texas Eclipse Festival in Burnet is ending a day early on Monday due to possible severe weather, including risks of tornadic activity, thunderstorms and large hail, the festival said in online posts.
Festival organizers urged attendees to leave early for safety and to beat traffic. Organizers agreed to end the festival in coordination with Burnet County officials, local safety agencies and the National Weather Service, according to the festival’s website.
All programming and performances for Monday and Tuesday are canceled. No additional guests will be allowed to enter the venue, and inbound shuttles to the venue are canceled. More information.
10:47 a.m.: Crowds are sparser than expected at the bat bridge
Matt Langbehn, from Round Rock, is the first to set up camp near the South Congress bat bridge in Austin. Langbehn said he arrived at 4 a.m. because of expected crowds, but as of 10:40 he was still the lone individual on the hill.
"I wake up early anyway," Langbehn said, undeterred.
"It's been a beautiful day," he added.
10:19 a.m.: Need a professional photo of the eclipse? We've got you
These days, we all walk around with powerful cameras in our pockets. But if you're trying to record the eclipse with your smart phone, you should use a solar filter (except when the eclipse has reached full totality). And honestly, capturing the majesty of an event like the eclipse is a job for the pros.
After the eclipse, we'll have posters and framed prints from Statesman photojournalists available at usatodaystore.com.
9:55 a.m.: Track flight delays
Click here to see flight delay information provided by the Federal Aviation Association.
9:46 a.m.: When do I need to wear eclipse glasses?
Solar eclipse weather forecast in Texas
Itremains likely thatclouds will impede viewing in Texasof this afternoon's total solar eclipse.
According to the respective National Weather Service offices,forecasts indicate cloudy weather in Austin-San AntonioandDallas-Fort Worth— the regions in Texas where the total eclipse will be most prominent — during the astronomical event with possible severe thunderstorms for hours immediately following.
Weather forecast:Clouds likely to rain on the solar eclipse parade across Texas on Monday, NWS says
Despite the predicted cloud cover, Bill Nye assures us that Texans will still be able to view the solar eclipse.
More:Bill Nye told us what's going to happen if it's cloudy during total solar eclipse in Texas
Am I in the path of totality?
What time is the eclipse in my area?
Eclipse partiality will begin a little after noon. Totality will start around 1:40 p.m. CST.
- Del Rio:12:11 p.m. to 2:51 p.m., with totality from 1:28 p.m. to 1:31 p.m.
- San Antonio:12:14 p.m. to 2:55 p.m., with totality from 1:33 p.m. to 1:34 p.m.
- Austin:12:17 p.m. to 2:58 p.m., with totality from 1:35 p.m. to 1:38 p.m.
- Dallas:12:23 p.m. to 3:02 p.m., with totality from 1:40 p.m. to 1:44 p.m.
- Texarkana:12:28 p.m. to 3:07 p.m., with totality from 1:46 p.m. to 1:49 p.m.
Enter your ZIP code below to see how the eclipse will look in your area and what time you should expect to see totality.
Can't see graphics?Search your ZIP code for a complete eclipse viewing guide
What time is the eclipse across the US?
Solar eclipse map: Path of totality in Texas
The map below is based on data from NASA, NOAA and the North Carolina Institute for Climate Studiesto show eclipse times, peak sun coverage and likely levels of cloudiness during the solar eclipse April 8.
'New' path of totality map:More parts of Texas will get to see the solar eclipse
Where can I get solar eclipse glasses near me?
Solar eclipse enthusiasts have little time left to get their hands on safe viewing glasses before thecelestial phenomenon Monday.
The Statesman turned to the experts at the American Astronomical Society for information on safe eclipse viewing glasses.These retailers, and others, are on theirapproved list:
- Walmart:Prices start at $9.99. They're available tosnag online.
- Lowe's:Eclipse glasses are availablein-store only.
- The Home Depot:Sellseclipse glasses, but its stock is very limited and may no longer be available.
- Staples:Purchase a 50-pack of eclipse glasses for $149.50online.
- More local stores:Buc-ee's,Cracker BarrelandKroger.
Is your local store out of glasses?Check out this map of stores by Linq that still have them in stock
When buying eclipse viewing glasses, make sure they are certified by the International Organization for Standardization and have the "ISO" icon. The glasses should also have the ISO reference number: 12312-2.
Solar eclipse road closures in Texas
Roads are expected to have 30% more drivers than usual today and tomorrow, according to CBS News. Traffic will also be more congested in the path of totality and surrounding areas.
The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles has banned overweight and/or oversized loads from a large swath of highways today.
Despite some anxiety regarding the implications of the road ban, the department assures this will not affect major transportation such as grocery distribution and mail delivery.
"Route restrictions are a regular part of the oversize/overweight permitting process for various reasons," a DMV spokesperson told MySA. "But a total eclipse is, of course, not a common reason."
The Texas Department of Transportation has also been proactive in making roads as safe as possible.
"Solar eclipse Monday, delays possible," TxDOT's electronic billboards read. "Arrive early, stay put, leave late."
People are also reading:Driving to see the solar eclipse? These Texas roads may see the most traffic
Click here to see TxDOT's total guide for Texas eclipse travel.
The department has also shared the following safe driving tips:
- Expect heavy traffic in the days before and during the solar eclipse.
- Plan to leave early and stay late. UseDriveTexas.orgto see live traffic conditions.
- Do not park in the middle of roads or on road shoulders. Find a safe place to park to view the eclipse.
- Keep your headlights on, even in daylight.
- Do not weareclipse viewing glasseswhile driving.
