On Oct. 14, the moon will partially obscure the sun in an annular solar eclipse that can be seen from a path across the western United States as well as Central and South America. Here’s everything you need to know about what it is and how to view it.
What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse takes place when the moon’s orbit places it between the earth and the sun and partially or completely obscures the sun from view.
An annular solar eclipse, as defined by NASA, occurs when an eclipse takes place while the moon is at its farthest point from earth. Because of the moon’s distance, it does not fully block the sun, leaving a portion of the sun visible behind it.
This gives the annular eclipse its alternate moniker, the “Ring of Fire” eclipse. The last annular solar eclipse to pass over the United States was on May 20, 2012, according to the Great American Eclipse.
What’s the best way to view the eclipse?
The first thing to know is that you cannot look directly at an annular solar eclipse unless you are wearing eclipse glasses, according to NASA’s website on eclipse safety.
Everyday sunglasses are not sufficient protection; NASA says eclipse glasses are thousands of times darker than regular sunglasses.
The American Astronomical Society has prepared a list of verified suppliers of eclipse glasses and other solar viewing equipment, available on their website.
Eclipse glasses will also be available free of charge at libraries participating in the Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries program, which will distribute 5 million solar-viewing glasses to 10,000 libraries across the U.S.
The eclipse doesn’t just have to be a visual experience: Space.com made a helpful playlist of eclipse-related songs to serenade viewers.
Where is the best place to view the 2023 annular eclipse?
The Great American Eclipse estimates the eclipse can first be seen in the U.S. at 9:13 a.m. PDT in Reedsport, Oregon. It will pass over parts of Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico before ending its journey over the U.S. in Texas at 12:03 p.m. CDT.
The eclipse will then be visible over the Yucatan Peninsula and through parts of Central and South America.
NASA’s interactive Eclipse Explorer map provides a detailed view of where the eclipse will make landfall and offers further information about the eclipse’s trajectory and coverage. Viewers outside of the path of the eclipse can watch the event on NASA’s livestream starting at 11:30 a.m. EDT.
Three of Utah’s national parks are within the projected viewing boundaries of the eclipse, and the other two, Zion and Arches, will still have partial views of the event. A spokesperson for Arches and Canyonlands told the Deseret News the parks are expecting a surge in visitors for the eclipse.
If you are unable to view this month’s annular eclipse, a total solar eclipse will pass over the eastern United States on April 8, 2024.