TYLER, Texas — East Texans will experience a rare spectacle this Saturday, the first solar eclipse since 2017. The moon will cover up to 80 percent of the sun from our view in East Texas.
Several places like Tyler State Park and Tyler Junior College are inviting the public to watch the solar eclipse together.
Tyler State Park resource interpreter Boyd Sanders said because of the location of the park, visitors will get to see how nature reacts to the solar eclipse.
"It affects the birds, they'll stop singing. Things will kind of start slowing down a little bit for nature-wise, and it's just kind of an odd feeling," Sanders said.
Even the light streaming through the trees will take on a crescent shape on the ground. But to watch the eclipse, you must do it safely. The best way to do that is by getting special eclipse glasses to put on before looking up at the sky.
Optometrist Neshia Rudd said if you don’t wear the correct eye protection, it could cause permanent eye damage.
"The retina can get damaged by looking at the sun through the Eclipse, even for a short amount of time," Rudd said.
Dr. Beau Hartweg, director of TJC Earth and Space Science Center, said for the first time, TJC has a mural that combines the Apache spirit with the solar eclipse for their homecoming this Saturday.
Both TJC and Tyler State Park will hostwatch parties this Saturday at 10:30 a.m. If you don't have eclipse glasses, they will provide glasses while supplies last.