Got plans this fall? We sure do! On Oct. 14, 2023, an annular solar eclipse will cross North, Central, and South America. This eclipse will be visible for millions of people in the United States. It will represent one of the last two chances people in the USA will have to witness a solar eclipse for fifteen years.
An annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth while the Moon is at its farthest point from Earth. Because the Moon is farther away from Earth,
The “ring of fire” phenomenon captured during an annular solar eclipse. Photo Credit: Ken Lund
it appears smaller than the Sun and does not completely cover the star. This is referred to as the “ring of fire” effect in the sky – and is a spectacular sight to see!
Millions of people in the USA will be able to see the annular eclipse, but you will need to be in a distinct path to be able to see the ring of fire. Others will see a partial eclipse taking place, which is still an amazing visual phenomenon to witness.
If you are curious about the path, and if you will be able to see the ring of fire from where you are, or just a partial eclipse, Xavier Jubiar has a wonderful interactive map you can use to pinpoint your location and see exactly how much of the annular eclipse will be visible.
Unlike a total eclipse, the Sun is never completely blocked by the Moon during an annular solar eclipse. During an annular eclipse, it is never safe to look directly at the Sun without wearing ISO approved special glasses designed for direct viewing of the sun. You can also use an indirect viewing method, such as a pinhole projector.
After the annular eclipse in October, your next opportunity to see a solar eclipse will be in April of 2024 when a total eclipse of the sun will take place over the USA. Then, after 2024, it will be 15 years before another eclipse of any type is visible from North America!
Start making plans now to take advantage of this opportunity to see one of the solar systems most spectacular shows. Plan ahead where you want to be on October 14, get your ISO certified solar eclipse viewing glasses now for you, your family and friends, and get ready to have an experience of a lifetime!