Four Seasons Austin: Celestial Celebration for 2024 Solar Eclipse

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Join us at Four Seasons Hotel Austin as we extend an invitation to both guests and locals alike to partake in an extraordinary event – the 2024 Great American Total Solar Eclipse. Under the enchanting glow of the moon, we present a “Celestial Celebration” picnic on April 8, 2024. Witness one of nature’s most mesmerizing spectacles as the Moon completely obscures the Sun, casting its shadow upon the Earth and briefly transforming day into night.

To experience the total solar eclipse, one must position themselves within the narrow path of the Moon’s shadow as it swiftly traverses the Earth’s surface during these rare occurrences. This path, known as the “path of totality,” will sweep directly through Austin, Texas in 2024. Travelers from across the country will flock to this path, where our hotel offers a premium vantage point from the shores of Lady Bird Lake and amidst downtown Austin.

Anticipate a remarkable one minute and forty seconds of the total solar eclipse, occurring around 1:30 pm CST, while the Celestial Celebration continues throughout the afternoon on our hotel’s expansive back lawn.

Guiding guests through the pivotal phases of the total solar eclipse and providing insights into the history and science behind eclipses, expert astrophysicist Ryan Hennessy, also the Resort Astronomer at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole, will serve as the event’s master of ceremonies.

“The rarity of a total solar eclipse visible in the United States – we only have a few chances within our lifetime – makes this an experience that cannot be missed,” says Hennessy. “The incredible strangeness of a total eclipse is also difficult to exaggerate. Nothing in nature is quite like it. Shadows sharpen and the temperature drops. Only when the surface of the Sun is completely covered by the Moon do we plunge briefly into darkness, finally revealing the beautiful, otherworldly glow of the Sun’s outer atmosphere, the corona. It’s an event that is impossible to fully capture – it can only be experienced.”

Here are the key highlights of the event:

1. Indulge in a gourmet spring BBQ picnic crafted by the esteemed culinary team of Four Seasons Hotel Austin.
2. Enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities, including an interactive photobooth, tarot card readings, and entertainment for kids.
3. Groove to live music performances that complement the solar keynote.
4. Gain insights from expert commentary and engaging astronomy education provided by astrophysicist Ryan Hennessy.
5. Experience the wonders of the cosmos with the state-of-the-art Lunt Hydrogen-Alpha Solar Telescope, offering breathtaking views of the Sun’s chromosphere, including sunspots, prominences, and solar flares.
6. Take home commemorative items such as custom solar-viewing safety glasses to cherish the memories of this extraordinary celestial event.

“Total solar eclipses only happen in the same location, on average, about once every 330 years; so, for Austin locals and visitors, this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Every day we aim to create unforgettable experiences for our guests; to celebrate this cosmic rarity from our Hotel is the epitome of just that,” explains Four Seasons Hotel Austin Regional Vice President and General Manager Beverly Magee.

The picnic and entertainment festivities are scheduled from 11:30 am CST to 2:00 pm CST. Secure your tickets through the Four Seasons Hotel Austin OpenTable page. Prices are set at USD 75 for adults and USD 30 for children aged 12 and under.

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