1 month ago
A 105-year-old Texas resident is gearing up to spot nan full star eclipse connected April 8 — and it's not his first rodeo.
LaVerne Biser of Fort Worth said his liking successful astronomy began successful precocious school, backmost successful nan 1930s. The umbraphile, a word referring to group who pursuit eclipses, spent his puerility admiring stars from his parent's Troy, Ohio, farmland successful nan 1920s, he told FOX 4 Dallas.
"Growing up, we were acquainted pinch Orion’s shield, nan Big Dipper … each nan G5 constellations," he said.
SKYDIVERS TO ENJOY THE APRIL 8 SOLAR ECLIPSE BY TAKING THE PLUNGE DURING TOTALITY: 'SPECIAL EVENT'
He still recalls seeing nan Milky Way for nan first clip arsenic a child.
But it wasn't until 1963 that he saw his first full star eclipse — and he was hooked.
Forth Worth resident LaVerne Biser has been captivated by full star eclipses since seeing his first 1 successful 1963. (The Biser family/Getty Images)
"You spot one, you want to spot them each and will do everything you tin to spot them," Biser said.
"They're truthful beautiful."
SOLAR ECLIPSE 2024: WHERE AND HOW TO VIEW THE RARE ORBIT HITTING THE US
Biser, an technologist by trade, earned his bachelor's grade from Ohio State University successful 1942. He later completed his master's grade from Southern Methodist University successful Dallas, Texas, earlier moving connected to activity for General Dynamics, a world aerospace and defense institution headquartered successful Reston, Virginia.
Biser and his wife, Marion, who died astatine property 97 successful 2023, enjoyed traveling and watching eclipses arsenic a couple.
LaVerne and Marion Biser would recreation crossed nan state to spot full star eclipses, specified arsenic successful this image taken successful 1988. (The Biser family)
When nan mates wasn't visiting nan U.S. Virgin Islands aliases nan Black Sea, they would thrust crossed nan state to find nan perfect spot to spot a full star eclipse.
The centenarian is still capable to singing nan years erstwhile he witnessed a star eclipse.
SOLAR ECLIPSE 2024: 8 STRANGE THINGS THAT COULD HAPPEN DURING THE RARE EVENT
"1963, 1972, ‘79, ’84, ‘88, ’91, ‘94, ’98, '99, 2012, 2017, 2023," Biser said to FOX 4.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
The eclipse of 2017 was nan past eclipse that he witnessed together pinch his wife.
"It was a bully one," he recalled.
Seen present is simply a image of nan 1972 star eclipse, left, and a image of Biser preparing to spot nan star arena successful 1972, astatine right. (The Biser family/Getty Images)
Biser cautiously planned his adjacent eclipse viewing. He has wished that he'll recreation from Fort Worth to Plano.
"Over here, I’m astatine nan separator of nan shape and it doesn’t past very long," he said.
"Over location is person to nan middle. It’ll past 3 aliases 4 minutes complete there. That’s wherever we’re going to go. My girl is location successful Plano."
SOLAR ECLIPSE EYE SAFETY: CAN STARING AT THE SUN CAUSE BLINDNESS?
The amateur astronomer cautions everyone to deterioration their information glasses while gazing astatine a partial eclipse, but says they tin region them erstwhile a full star eclipse is reached.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
And erstwhile asked astir his health, Biser credited his longevity and power to his teetotalism, positive ne'er smoking cigarettes aliases taking illicit drugs, according to FOX 4.
LaVerne Biser, 3rd from right, was capable to be his granddaughter's wedding successful 2023. (The Biser family via FOX 4 Dallas)
"Just bully Christian living," he said.
For much Lifestyle articles, sojourn www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.
