Solar Eclipse Texas History: When Was the Last One & How Many Have There Been?

A partial solar eclipse will be seen in Texas on Monday, August 21. Over the past century or so, the state has seen its fair share of partial solar eclipses, but has not been in the direct path of the so-called “zone of totality.” The “zone of totality” is the phrase used to describe the direct path of the solar eclipse. States that fall in this area will experience total darkness during the peak of the eclipse.

Although the Lone Star State will not experience totality on Monday, various towns and cities will see various percentages of occlusion. See the map below to see the visibility in your area.

Below is a list of partial solar eclipses that have been visible in Texas in the 20th and 21st centuries. You can click the individual links for information on each eclipse.

Oct 23, 2014, Partial Solar Eclipse
May 20, 2012, Partial Solar Eclipse
Apr 8, 2005, Partial Solar Eclipse
Dec 14, 2001, Partial Solar Eclipse
Dec 25, 2000, Partial Solar Eclipse
Feb 26, 1998, Partial Solar Eclipse
May 10, 1994, Partial Solar Eclipse
Jul 11, 1991, Partial Solar Eclipse
Oct 3, 1986, Partial Solar Eclipse
May 30, 1984, Partial Solar Eclipse
Aug 10, 1980, Partial Solar Eclipse
Feb 26, 1979, Partial Solar Eclipse
Oct 12, 1977, Partial Solar Eclipse
Dec 13, 1974, Partial Solar Eclipse
Dec 24, 1973, Partial Solar Eclipse
Jul 10, 1972, Partial Solar Eclipse
Mar 7, 1970, Partial Solar Eclipse
Sep 11, 1969, Partial Solar Eclipse
May 9, 1967, Partial Solar Eclipse
Jul 20, 1963, Partial Solar Eclipse
Sep 20, 1960, Partial Solar Eclipse
Jun 30, 1954, Partial Solar Eclipse
Mar 7, 1951, Partial Solar Eclipse
Nov 12, 1947, Partial Solar Eclipse
Nov 23, 1946, Partial Solar Eclipse
Jul 9, 1945, Partial Solar Eclipse
Jan 25, 1944, Partial Solar Eclipse
Apr 19, 1939, Partial Solar Eclipse
Jun 8, 1937, Partial Solar Eclipse
Feb 3, 1935, Partial Solar Eclipse
Aug 31, 1932, Partial Solar Eclipse
Apr 28, 1930, Partial Solar Eclipse
Jul 9, 1926, Partial Solar Eclipse
Jan 24, 1925, Partial Solar Eclipse
Sep 10, 1923, Partial Solar Eclipse

On Nov 22, 1919, an annular solar eclipse was visible in Houston. An annular eclipse occurs when the moon is further away in its orbit from the earth, and thus appears smaller in the sky. In an annular eclipse, the whole of the moon does cross the sun’s path, but, since it appears smaller, it does not fully occlude the sun.

Jun 8, 1918, Partial Solar Eclipse
Feb 3, 1916, Partial Solar Eclipse
Apr 28, 1911, Partial Solar Eclipse
Jun 17, 1909, Partial Solar Eclipse
Jun 28, 1908, Partial Solar Eclipse
Jan 3, 1908, Partial Solar Eclipse
Aug 30, 1905, Partial Solar Eclipse
May 28, 1900, Partial Solar Eclipse

The next solar eclipse visible in Texas will occur on April 8, 2024. The Lone Star State will be in the zone of totality during this event and several areas — including Dallas and Austin — will experience complete darkness.

Check out the map below to see the path of the 2017 eclipse and the 2024 eclipse to compare the paths.