By NIIOHONTESHA WARRRIOR
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com
On the highly anticipated day of April 8, 2024, individuals from all corners of the country eagerly made their way to the eclipse path of totality. Some embarked on long journeys, while others were fortunate enough to view it in their own backyards.
Henry Rodriguez, the owner of Henry Charters on SPI, was among those who closed his business for the day to embark on a thrilling adventure to witness this rare celestial event.
According to a comprehensive NASA report, the last total eclipse that graced the U.S. was in 2017, stretching from Oregon to South Carolina. In stark contrast, the 2024 path traced a different route, crossing from Mexico into Texas, up to Maine, and exiting through Canada. The next total eclipse to traverse the U.S. is slated for 2044. This year’s eclipse marked significant differences from its predecessor, including a longer time in totality (2 minutes and 1 second longer), a wider and more populated path (between 48 – 51 miles wider), heightened solar activity (unlike the 2017 eclipse, the sun was nearing solar minimum, whereas the 2024 eclipse, sun in nearing solar maximum), and expanded scientific research (2024 research initiatives building on what was done for the 2017 eclipse).
According to the NASA report, an estimated 31.6 million people live on the 2024 path of totality, whereas 12 million lived on the 2017 eclipse. An additional 15 million live within 200 miles of the path.
Rodriguez reported during an interview that he intentionally made the trip between the Waco and the Dallas area and aligned the journey with him dropping off his son at Texas State Technical College (TSTC) in Waco. After researching a predicted time-lapse of the path of totality, Waco was the destination.
While traveling along Interstate 35, it began to get dark, and then he and his sons pulled over at a roadside restaurant for the event. When the passing car’s headlights started turning on, he decided to pull off the highway.
Reflecting on the experience, Rodriguez shared, “It was a truly awe-inspiring moment. As the moon gradually covered the sun, the world around us was enveloped in darkness, as if it were nighttime. And just as the darkness set in, I found myself in an unexpected encounter with nighttime mosquitoes, perhaps drawn out by the sudden change in light.”
“Something was shining on the bottom of the sun as the moon fully covered it,” he said, “I didn’t need the eclipse glasses to see it anymore.”
Port Isabel local schools sent home permission slips for the students to leave class and experience the eclipse. As reported by students, the eclipse was still visible even though the sky was overcast.
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