City holding joint press conference to preview plans with Mayborn Science Theater, community
KILLEEN, Texas (November 4, 2022) – The City of Killeen is partnering with Central Texas College to host watch parties and viewing events for the next solar eclipse, which is due to occur on April 8, 2024.
The two entities will hold a press conference on Nov. 17 at 3:30p.m. at CTC’s Mayborn Science Theater and Planetarium— the only planetarium within a 170-mile radius of Killeen.
Killeen is in the direct path of totality for the next total solar eclipse. It is due to happen on April 8, 2024 at 1:36p.m. in our city and last for four minutes and 16 seconds. Texas is one of only 13 states that will be in the middle of the eclipse’s narrow path.
The 2017 total solar eclipse was the first, coast-to-coast experience in nearly 100 years and the 67-mile-wide path was the first one exclusive to the U.S. Millions of people witnessed it and scientists predict this one will last almost two minutes longer (four minutes and 27 seconds in Texas), come closer to more major cities, and be witnessed by millions more spectators (about 20 million viewed the 2017 event).
After April 2024, the next cross-country, total solar eclipse won’t occur again until 2045, so the City of Killeen is encouraging citizens from near and far to start making their plans now. The City will be releasing watch party plans and inviting the community to sign up to host viewing events on our website.
The community will be able to access our entry forms on www.KilleenTexas.gov/eclipse and www.KilleenEclipse.us. Killeen has more than three dozen hotels for those traveling from out of town for the Solar Eclipse 2024 and there are already tourist bookings for this event.
Speakers for the Nov. 17 press conference will include Killeen Mayor Debbie Nash-King, City of Killeen officials, the planetarium director, and astronomer, Warren Hart, from Central Texas College.
Central Texas College’s Mayborn Science Theater can be reached at (254) 526-1768 and by website at https://www.starsatnight.org/.
In a total solar eclipse, the moon passes directly between the earth and the sun, blocking the sun fully.