Big D Eclipse at Dallas College

Dallas College is hosting events this school year for students and the community at large to witness two phenomena in the sky – a partial annular solar eclipse was seen on October 14, 2023, and an exceedingly rare total solar eclipse will take place on April 8, 2024.

All seven campuses across Dallas County will host viewing events with special eclipse glasses available for those in attendance to safely view this historic occurrence.

For more information about the upcoming solar eclipse events, contact Heather Appleby, Professor of Astronomy, via email at H.Appleby@DallasCollege.edu or by calling 972-761-6728.

We will accept donations, but only personal hygiene items, ramen noodles and shelf-stable milk. All donations will help fund the Dallas College Food Pantry.

Monday, April 8, 2024

Brookhaven: Parking Lot P3

Cedar Valley: Parking Lot S1 in front of Building M

Eastfield: Parking Lot 8, soccer fields and in front of Buildings F & G

El Centro: Founder's Plaza

Mountain View: Grass field surrounded by the walking trail at the southeast side of campus at Knoxville Rd and Illinois Ave.

North Lake: Sports Complex Parking Lot

Richland: Parking Lot C

Total Eclipse (100%)

12:23 p.m. – 3:02 p.m. (peaking at 1:42 p.m.)

Total Solar Eclipse Countdown

In case of inclement weather on the day of the event, visit here.

Did you know?

Dallas College has a rich history of hosting astronomy events. Our Richland Campus was home to one of the first planetariums in the area in the 1970s and hosted multiple laser light shows every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for years. As D Magazine described the shows back in 1990, “Now this may sound weird, but these intensely rhythmic, three-dimensional, sight-and-sound fests are experiences you won’t soon forget.” Expect a couple more unforgettable experiences this school year.

Heather Appleby

Professor of Astronomy

972-761-6728
Email Heather

Additional Links:

2023 Annular Eclipse

Texas 2024 Total Eclipse

NASA 2024 April 8, 2024, Solar Eclipse

Sky and Telescope: Solar and Lunar Eclipses in 2023

Total Eclipse of the Classroom Session for Educators

Eclipse Safety

Video: Eclipse Glasses - Three Ways To Spot A Potential Problem

It is important to take the necessary safety precautions when viewing the solar eclipse. Do not look at the sun directly with the unaided eye or without specialized eye protection designed for solar viewing. Sunglasses are not approved for solar viewing. Viewing the sun or a solar eclipse improperly or without correct use of safe viewing equipment can lead to permanent eye damage. Dallas College assumes no responsibility for any person causing harm to themselves or others by following unsafe eclipse viewing procedures. For more information on how to safely view a solar eclipse, please visit the NASA website.