Have A Solar Eclipse Tailgate Party At This Texas Buc-ee's

A total solar eclipse will cross North America on April 8, 2024, and the best place to see it just might be a Buc-ee’s parking lot deep in the heart of Texas. 

The folks at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram have figured out that the great celestial event is taking place right around the same time as another wondrous moment in Southern history: the opening of a brand-new Buc-ee's. Yes indeed folks, the Buc-ee's quest to dominate the South continues as the new Hillsboro, Texas, outpost is reportedly slated to open sometime in late March or April 1, which works perfectly with the solar system’s plans. That means sky watchers can take in the rare eclipse with easy access to all of Buc-ee’s snacks. (We hear that Dr. Pepper Icees and fudge pair perfectly with astronomical wonders.)

Several Southern cities will experience totality, that is that the moon will pass between the sun and the earth. This blocks the face of the sun and will make the sky darken like it is dusk. If you plan to watch the eclipse in Texas, according to NASA, the entire Dallas Forth Worth metro area is in the path of totality and Hillsboro is just 50 miles South of Forth Worth. Starting at around 12:23 CDT on April 8, folks in Dallas and the surrounding area will start to see a partial eclipse. The totality, or when the sun is fully covered by the moon, is expected to start at 1:40 and peak around 1:42. By 1:45 p.m., you can be back inside Buc-ee’s loading up on kolaches or Sizzlin' Saltines content with the knowledge of having witnessed a rare celestial event. 

While Buc-ee’s hasn’t confirmed that its Hillsboro outpost will be open in time for the eclipse, the Houston Chronicle points out there are nearby Buc-ee’s outposts in Temple and Melissa, Texas, which are also in the path of totality. If neither of those locations is convenient, well, there are undoubtedly a whole lot of Whataburger parking lots to watch from instead.

Do you plan to travel to watch this rare eclipse?