A 105-year-old Texas man is preparing to witness his thirteenth total solar eclipse. After experiencing his first in 1963, the Texan granddad is gearing up for the total solar eclipse on April 8.
Biser and his late wife traveled around the world to get the finest view of the eclipse
In 1963, LaVerne Biser, 45, witnessed his first total solar eclipse with his wife and children. Biser drove over 2,000 miles with his family from Texas to Maine to witness the cosmic marvel, and he hasn’t stopped since.
Biser told The Washington Post that “the one eclipse in 1963 is all it took. I saw one, and I had to see them all. I was hooked.”
Biser and his late wife traveled around the world to get the finest view of the eclipse. He last saw an eclipse in 2017 with his wife.
Biser expressed his excitement for today’s eclipse, adding, “I probably won’t be around for the next one. So I’m hoping the weather will cooperate long enough for me to see this one. I’m praying for clear weather.”
Biser built his telescopes and planned travels to other states to have the finest view of the eclipse
Biser’s interest in astronomy was evident throughout his youth. His fascination intensified during high school science studies in the 1930s, as the moon and stars shone brightly over his family farm.
Biser graduated with a mechanical engineering degree from Ohio State University and went on to work as an aviation designer.
Throughout his career, Biser built his telescopes and planned travels to other states to have the finest view of the eclipse.
His daughter, who is now 76, reported that she had visited 49 states by the time she graduated from high school, all because her father was fascinated with the eclipse.
The totality will be visible for 185 kilometers between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. People outside these regions can watch the eclipse and totality via a NASA live stream.