APRIL 8, 2024 — Editor’s note: The San Antonio Express-News ran the following op-ed online on (April 6) and in print on (April 7).
A total solar eclipse is an astronomical spectacle and a transformative encounter that everyone should experience.
With Monday’s eclipse on the horizon, I am drawn back to the awe-inspiring experience in 2017 when I first witnessed a total eclipse.
At that time, I resided in the heart of Missouri and was fortunate to be along the path of totality. The memory still resonates — the palpable excitement of seeing of the moon obscure the sun, cloaking the day in darkness.
As the anticipation builds once more, a curious sentiment pervades the air, even a sense of skepticism. Some voices whisper that the eclipse is over-hyped or that there has been too much fanfare leading up to its arrival.
Reflecting on the amazing experience I had in 2017, I disagree.
It is difficult to convey the magnitude of a total solar eclipse for those who have yet to experience its wonder. An eclipse is not merely about witnessing a celestial alignment; it's about feeling the world around you.
It's about the way the temperature drops as the sun's rays are momentarily obscured and the chorus of insects that stir as darkness descends upon the land. It's about the collective gasp of awe that escapes from the lips of onlookers as they bear witness to an experience that transcends words.
The scientific significance of eclipses cannot be overstated. They offer invaluable opportunities for researchers to study the sun's corona, unraveling mysteries that elude us in the ordinary course of observation. Data gathered during these fleeting moments of totality fuel breakthroughs in our understanding of solar dynamics, space weather and even the search for habitable exoplanets.
Each eclipse is a precious window into the cosmos, a chance to deepen our comprehension of the universe we inhabit.
Whether you are a seasoned astronomer or simply a curious observer, seize the moment to witness this phenomenon firsthand. Find a spot along the path of totality, where the sun will be completely obscured by the moon and prepare to be amazed.
If it looks like cloud cover may move into your area, plan an alternative location with a better view. If you are unable to travel, you will still experience darkness under a cloudy sky. You must be in a region having 100% coverage to have the complete experience of being enveloped by the wonder of totality – 99.9% is not the same.
I can attest to the profound impact these celestial events have on those fortunate enough to experience them. As I prepare to witness my second total solar eclipse, this time in Texas, I am again filled with a sense of anticipation and wonder.
To those who may feel wary of the hype surrounding the upcoming eclipse, set aside your doubts and embrace the opportunity. Allow yourself to be swept away by the magic of the moment.
In the end, it’s about the simple joy of experiencing something extraordinary. As the moon prepares to cast its shadow once more, let us come together in wonder and reverence, united by our shared appreciation for the magnificence of the universe.
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Archaeology 201 will briefly go over the foundations of archaeology and related skills, followed by a different topic over the course of this week (like skeletal analysis, global cultures, and more).
Center for Archaeological Research, UTSA Main CampusCraft a comic to create your own narrative and find your voice through storytelling. Participants will learn to create characters that are self-reflective and through a community lens.
REGSS Community Room (DB 3.202,) UTSA Downtown CampusJoin the Student Involvement Center and the Whataburger Resource Room (Food-Pantry) for a service project! Help us prepare for the Roadrunner Days Move-In Market on Thursday, July 25 from 11 AM - 2 PM by assisting us with the following volunteer needs. We are preparing for UTSA's largest garage sale, but everything is free for our students!
BK Lot 5 Building (Next to Campus Garden), Main CampusCome enjoy a discussion on art as a self expression in the age of moving technology and telling your story with a community.
REGSS Community Room (DB 3.202,) UTSA Downtown CampusThe UTSA Veteran and Military Office will be holding a social event for our new military-affiliated students to come out and meet our office, staff, and other students.
MB 0.100, Ground Floor Lobby, Main BuildingThe Student Union invites you to join us for Kickback at the Union, a fun event designed to get you acquainted with all of the services available in the Student Union!
Student UnionInterested in learning more about the different fraternities and sororities in the Multicultural Greek Council? Come meet our organizations and enjoy free food and music.
Retama Galleria (SU 2.02,) Main CampusThe University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.