Experience the magic of the night sky while stargazing in Corpus Christi. The darkest, clear skies or when the sun has set low enough below the horizon create the best backdrop, and coupled with the gulf breeze and the sounds of the waves hitting the shoreline; it can be quite a memorable experience. Read on to find some of the best places for stargazing in the Gulf Coast Capital, including one in particular, where you can enjoy the longest view of the annular eclipse on October 14, 2023.  

Padre Island National Seashore 

Catch a great view of the stars from The Night Sky Observatory – its fence-looking structure on the north side of the Malaquite Visitor Center parking lot was designed to block most of the wind and provide a darker setting for stargazing. You can also view the stars from along the beach where artificial light is limited and from the boardwalk, which leads out to the beach. 

That’s not all - Padre Island National Seashore is also a prime viewing spot for the solar eclipse. This “ring of fire” occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun but is too far from Earth to completely obscure it. According to space.com, Whitecap Beach is the best site to get the longest view possible of the annular eclipse in October, which is located at the northern end of Padre Island National Seashore. Expect to see the eclipse for 4 minutes and 52 seconds starting at 11:56 a.m. on October 14, 2023!

 

Texas State Parks  

It’s true what they say about the stars in Texas: they really are big and bright, and we have the right sky to prove it. Texas is known for its state parks with wide open spaces that are isolated from urban areas, and stargazers can get away from the city lights and enjoy some of the best night sky views around. Mustang Island State Park and Goose Island State Park are two local parks that regularly host stargazing events to educate the public about the importance of preserving night skies that make viewing of constellations, planets, stars, satellites, and other objects possible. Both of these parks have excellent dark, clear skies and open areas for prime stargazing results. Check out Mustang Island State Park and Goose Island State Park websites for more information on events. 

 

Robert Wollman Planetarium 

Located inside Richard King High School, The Planetarium is a specialized environment in which the stars, moon, and planets are simulated onto a curved projection dome overhead. These programs combine a digital dome video with the night’s sky star projector for a learning experience to educate and inspire both the school children and the general public about science and exploration. Catch one of these exciting shows every Tuesday evening at 6:00 PM. It is open to the public and is seated on a first come first served basis. Find more information on the public shows and purchase your ticket at the King High School Webstore. 

Tips for Stargazing in the Park 
  • Allow your eyes 20 minutes to adjust to get the best views of stars and moonlight. 
  • Using a red light is best for night vision, and it allows you to walk in the dark without disturbing anyone’s night vision.  
  • You don’t need a telescope to see smaller night sky objects. Most of these can be seen with the naked eye, but if you want a closer look, try using binoculars, along with a stargazing map or app.