Liam Tarpley watches the annular eclipse in October 2023 at Lost Maples State Park. Central Texas will fall into the path of totality in the April 8 eclipse. Photo by Pam LeBlanc

Want to learn more about the April 8 eclipse before the big day? Head to Barton Springs for the Full Moon Swim on March 25.

Dawn Davies, the Night Sky Program Manager for the Hill Country Alliance and a former board member of the Austin Astronomical Society, will share information about the upcoming celestial event, when parts of Central Texas will fall into the path of totality.

Read more: Get day passes to state parks early

Hands-on, family friendly activities are planned for 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the pool, followed by the eclipse presentation and a Q&A from 7:30 to 8 p.m. Visitors can look at the night sky through a telescope – or bring their own binoculars and telescopes – following the presentation. Astronomers and astronomy enthusiasts will be on hand to help and free eclipse glasses will be distributed.

And if you’ve never attended a Full Moon Swim at Barton Springs, it’s a right of passage. When the moon comes up, visitors to the spring-fed pool in downtown Austin stop to howl. Sit on the hillside above the water and you’ll hear a chorus of barking.

Learn more about the eclipse at Total Eclipse 2024. Learn more about How To View the Total Eclipse Safely.