AUSTIN (KXAN) — Central Texans are in for a treat Oct. 14 as the region bears witness to an annular eclipse, the first of two eclipses poised to pass over the Central Texas region within the next seven months.

An annular eclipse happens when the moon passes over the sun but leaves a ring of fire visible around its edges. Austin isn’t in the path of totality for this annular eclipse, but approximately 88% of light will be blocked out by it.

In Central Texas, the eclipse will begin around 10:23 a.m. and end at 1:33 p.m. It will peak at 11:54 a.m., according to the University of Texas in Austin’s Department of Astronomy.

To commemorate the natural phenomenon, several communities are slated to celebrate with community events.

Austin

Visit the University of Texas at Austin campus for an eclipse celebration at the Main Mall, which is near the UT Tower at 110 Inner Campus Drive. UT Astronomy and the College of Natural Sciences will have interactive demos, telescopes, a physics circus, liquid nitrogen ice cream, food and more.

The free event will start at 10 a.m. Free eclipse viewers will be provided. More event details are online.

Driftwood

Vista Brewing will hold a free watch party at its Driftwood ranch with specials like the Dark Skies Black Pilsner, “Ring of Fire” blood orange mimosas and Dark Skies Chili.

For $5, guests can get a pair of eclipse glasses and donate to the Hays County Friends of the Night Sky. The event is family and dog-friendly, according to the event. The ranch is located at 13551 FM 150, Driftwood. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Junction

Junction, Texas, will be home to the Texclipse Music Festival Oct. 13-14. The event will feature live music, a chili cook-off, a songwriter competition, community vendors, contests and other elements. The entire natural event will take approximately three hours, but the annularity will last right around five minutes, according to The Exploratorium, a San Francisco-based science, technology and art museum.

Johnson City

The Science Mill in Johnson City will extend its hours for residents to witness the annular eclipse at the museum on Oct. 14. The museum will still open on Oct. 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with regular ticket pricing for entry. More details on the museum are available online.

Liberty Hill

At River Ranch County Park near Liberty Hill, event attendees can listen to informational lectures at 11 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to learn more about the eclipse. Solar viewing glasses will also be available, until supplies run out, and guests can learn how to make a solar viewing box if they bring their own cereal box.

The eclipse event will be at the Interpretive Center at 194 Reveille Way, Liberty Hill. Attendees can also bring lawn chairs and blankets to watch near the center. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friends of River Ranch and Good Water Master Naturalists are hosting the event.

Know of an event not listed here? Let us know! Email us at ReportIt@kxan.com.