Zach Molina contributed to this story
Have you ever experienced the beauty of a solar eclipse? If not, you have the opportunity to see the next one in a front row seat camping under an open sky with other South Plains College students.
“Watching the solar eclipse is a once in a lifetime experience,” says Joshua Meredith, the SPC director of Student Life.
That’s why Meredith, along with Kristin Bingham, SPC biology department chair and associate professor of biology, are hosting a camping trip for SPC students to see the eclipse this April 8.
The trip will begin Sunday, April 7. Advisors and students will travel to Barefoot Camp and RV Park in Bend, Texas where they will set up camp. Meredith says everyone will be camping in tents outdoors. The Barefoot Camp is along the Colorado River in San Saba county, and its website says it is full for the eclipse event.
According to eclipse2024.org, the eclipse will be visible in Bend on April 8 at exactly 1:35 pm and it will last about 4 minutes and 14 seconds.
“During this time, the temperature will drop and the bizarre experience will begin,” Meredith says.
According to NASA.gov, a solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and the earth so the face of the sun is completely blocked. The site says this April’s eclipse will cross North American and pass over Mexico, the United States and Canada.
“After the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024,” the site says, “the next total solar eclipse that can be seen from the contiguous United States will be on Aug. 23, 2044.”
As a reminder, NASA’s site also warns that it is not safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection except during the short total phase of a total solar eclipse.
SPC student Audrey Villarreal says she’s interested in going on the SPC solar eclipse camping trip.
“I am hoping to witness the awe-inspiring moment when the moon completely blocks out the sun,” she says, “experiencing the eerie darkness and feeling a sense of unity with my college peers as we look at this rare event together.”
The deadline to sign up for the SPC eclipse camping trip is Wednesday, March 20 at 3 p.m. There are limited spots available, and it’s first come, first serve. Meredith says students should look for a digital form to sign up that was sent to all SPC student emails on Feb. 26. It was called, “Take a trip with us to see the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8th!”
The trip costs $5 Meredith says. Food will be provided along with special protective glasses.
So, check out the form and think about camping under the big open sky.
“While a total eclipse of the heart is a great song and may occur more than once in your lifetime,” Meredith says, “a total solar eclipse is a rare phenomenon that for many people is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity if they’re lucky.”
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