The highly anticipated total solar eclipse finally graced Texas with its presence.
Why it matters: Texas won't be in the path of totality for a total solar eclipse again until 2045 , and that path will include just a small slice of the Panhandle, according to NASA.
Yes, but: The clouds were pretty thick in some areas, even though statistically Texas had the lowest chances of cloud coverage across the eclipse's U.S. path.
- The ring of fire was still stunning when it peeked through the clouds, but some of those who traveled to Texas — as many as 1 million people, according to Great American Eclipse — probably hoped to see a little more of the spectacle.
Here's what we saw across the state:
Brett and Leesha Baker peered through their telescope at Dick Nichols Park in Southwest Austin. The pair traveled from Utah to experience their second total solar eclipse.
- "It's a full-body experience," Leesha Baker recalled about the 2017 eclipse. "It's very humbling to have everything go dark."
![https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4Q05Fk_0sJtCk3700](https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&url=4Q05Fk_0sJtCk3700)
Brett and Leesha Baker taking in the eclipse. Photo: Nicole Cobler/Axios
At Lake Pflugerville Park, north of Austin, the clouds broke enough for good views intermittently leading up to totality. Everyone let out collective "wows" and "aahs" as totality hit.
![https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0MNx3y_0sJtCk3700](https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&url=0MNx3y_0sJtCk3700)
Lucky skies at Lake Pflugerville Park. Photo: Megan Stringer/Axios
Hundreds of people gathered at Hermann Park in Houston, where the Sun was 94% covered — and there was a lot of happy shouting when the eclipse was visible.
![https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=45eVJT_0sJtCk3700](https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&url=45eVJT_0sJtCk3700)
The crowd at Hermann Park. Photo: Jay Jordan/Axios
A group of friends drove three and a half hours from Oklahoma City to view the eclipse at Windhaven Meadows Park in Plano.
![https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2bTfEz_0sJtCk3700](https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&url=2bTfEz_0sJtCk3700)
Viewers at Windhaven Meadows Park in Plano knew they had to bring inflatables. Photo: Shafaq Patel/Axios
I-35 was uncharacteristically empty around downtown Austin during the peak of the eclipse.
![https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3WIm0M_0sJtCk3700](https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&url=3WIm0M_0sJtCk3700)
The best (you had no traffic) — and worst (you missed the eclipse) — time to be on I-35. Photo: Sami Sparber/Axios
Students from Austin's Travis Heights Elementary School and their parents cheered "Team Moon!" as totality approached.
![https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0vpHKm_0sJtCk3700](https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&url=0vpHKm_0sJtCk3700)
School paused so parents and their kids could watch the eclipse together. The city's iconic moonlight towers illuminated during totality. Photo: Bob Gee/Axios
Texas Solar Eclipse Fest was raffling off a Mitsubishi Eclipse in Del Rio.
![https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2WM8UY_0sJtCk3700](https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&url=2WM8UY_0sJtCk3700)
An Eclipse for the eclipse. Photo: Madalyn Mendoza/Axios
Hundreds gathered at the Bath House Cultural Center on White Rock Lake in Dallas to cheer the passing of the clouds in time for a clear view of totality.
![https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4OElWT_0sJtCk3700](https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&url=4OElWT_0sJtCk3700)
The clouds parted just in time at White Rock Lake. Photo: Tasha Tsiaperas/Axios
![https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0AVITs_0sJtCk3700](https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&url=0AVITs_0sJtCk3700)
The eclipse was amazing in Arlington, even through the clouds. Photo: Courtesy of Joseph Andaya
Families, couples and groups of friends picnicked at The Colony's Grandscape, north of Dallas.
![https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1LFYFq_0sJtCk3700](https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&url=1LFYFq_0sJtCk3700)
Eclipse watchers spreading out at the Grandscape. Photo: Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi/Axios
What's next: The next total solar eclipse will occur from Greenland to Spain on Aug. 12, 2026.
Go deeper: The eclipse across the U.S., including a mass wedding
Sign up for Axios Austin for free.
Comments / 0