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The day featured viewings for the eclipse and exhibits for families of all ages.

MIDLAND, Texas - It's an event that doesn't happen every day, and Midland just so happened to be the center point of it.

A solar eclipse shined down across the country and the Museum of the Southwest held a large celebration of the event.

Hundred flocked down to the Museum today for what the Museum called "Eclipse Day".

"We are calling today 'Eclipse Day'. It is a really awesome event," Mary Katherine Marshall , the Senior Director of Development and Communications of the Museum, said. "Today was an annular eclipse and we have several thousands at our campus today to view this phenomenon."

It wasn't just West Texans who came by for the event, as people from across the country made the trip to the Tall City, such as Kevin Angell, a science teacher who came all the way to Midland from Kansas for the eclipse.

"We came from Wichita," Angell said. "We left yesterday right after work. It's about an eight-hour, fifteen-minute drive to get here to Midland just to watch the eclipse."

But what makes Midland in particular such a hotbed for eclipse watchers?

Rachel Fuechsl, the Programs Director for the McDonald Observatory, says that it's so people can get a better look at the full eclipse.

"It's super important because we are in the path of annularity, which means we got to see that beautiful ring of fire effect," Fuechsl said. "At the observatory, it's only a partial eclipse so it didn't completely reach the annular phase."

But it wasn't just the eclipse that people could look at. The museum came prepared with different exhibits for families to interact with and for the kids to expand their minds.

"We've got staff from the McDonald Observatory, we have folks from Texas Tech also on campus, there is a group from the Dallas area called the NuMinds Enrichment, and they are here doing some STEM and steam activities with our guests today," Marshall said. "We have just a great group to enjoy these activities."

While yes, the activities are fun and help make memories for people of all ages. But it's the main attraction that brings people out to Midland.

"It's just something that doesn't happen that often. It's the total eclipse," Angell said. "We drove from Colorado Springs up to Grand Teton National Park in 2017 to see the total eclipse. Hadn't seen an annular eclipse yet so, made the drive to see this, [it's] something else I'll never see again."

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Museum of the Southwest sees hundreds show up to see the Annular Solar Eclipse

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The special day featured viewings for the eclipse and exhibits for families of all ages.

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