Greatest Solar Eclipse in Livermore's Recorded History: 1923

Livermore's greatest solar eclipse in recorded history occurred nearly a century ago, on Monday, September 10, 1923. The path of totality passed through San Diego. In the Livermore Valley, the moon blocked between 95 and 96 percent of the sun, according to the Livermore Herald of September 7, 1923. The Herald noted, "The darkness will not at any time be sufficient to interrupt traffic on the streets or require headlights, say scientists, but lights will be required indoors."

The Herald reported on the eclipse in its September 14, 1923 issue:

“ECLIPSE WAS INTERESTING

Livermoreans had a splendid opportunity to view the eclipse of the sun last Monday afternoon, the atmospheric conditions being all that could have been asked for. Although there were but few persons here interested in the eclipse from a scientific viewpoint practically everyone spent the two hours from 12 to 2 viewing the progress of the phenomenon by means of smoked glass or similar substance.

Most people were surprised that the darkness was not greater than it was, although all remarked on the queer, ghostly light which prevailed during the darker periods.

Owing to a dense fog the scientists in southern California did not have the best of luck in making their observationh [sic] and photographs.”

A total solar eclipse on June 16, 1806 was visible as a partial eclipse in the Livermore Valley. Its path of totality passed far to the south; thousands of Ohlone Indians likely viewed it, along with European settlers at Mission San Jose in what is now Fremont.

The total solar eclipse of July 11, 1991 was visible in the Livermore Valley, but the path of totality passed far to the south through Mexico. The annular solar eclipse of May 20, 2012 also was visible in Livermore. After the August 21, 2017 eclipse, the next total solar eclipse that will be visible in Livermore will be on August 12, 2045; the path of totality will pass across far northern California.