The next solar eclipse is just around the corner on Saturday, October 14, and will have a ‘path of annularity’ across multiple US states.
Self-described ‘eclipse chasers’ and those with a curiosity to witness the ‘ring of fire’ will flock to a narrow strip crossing nine US states over which the phenomenon will be visible.
Saturday’s spectacle is classed as an annular solar eclipse, which occurs when the Moon moves between the Sun and Earth and is at its greatest distance from our planet. The Moon appears smaller than the Sun and does not totally cover it, and that is what causes the ring of fire look.
This time, the annular solar eclipse will be able to be seen over parts of Oregon, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Texas, and sections of California, Idaho, Colorado and finally Arizona, according to Nasa.
Portions of multiple states outside of the strip will still be in the 80-90% range and get a partial vista of the eclipse. They include California, Nevada, Oregon, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Idaho, according to Nexstar.
Parts of a handful of states will have a 70-80% view including some of the aforementioned states and Washington, Montana, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas.
The phenomenon will begin to be visible in the US at 9.13am PT in Oregon and be over Texas at 12.03pm CT. The path of annularity will then continue on to Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua and finishing off in Panama.
While chasing the eclipse, hopeful onlookers should not forget to take safety measures for watching it.
‘The Sun is never completely blocked by the Moon during an annular solar eclipse. Therefore, during an annular eclipse, it is never safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection designed for solar viewing,’ states Nasa.
‘Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.’
Types of eclipse
Total solar eclipse This happens when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and the Earth, completely blocking the face of our star. The Sun’s corona becomes visible around the Moon’s shadow, and the sky will darken similar to dawn or dusk.
Annular solar eclipse The Moon again passes directly between the Sun and the Earth, but at or close to its further point from Earth, meaning it does not entirely block out the Sun. This creates a circle of light around the Moon, often referred to as the ‘ring of fire’.
Partial solar eclipse This happens when the Moon is not in perfect alignment with the Sun, only blocking part of it and creating a crescent shape. People living on either side of the path of a total or annular solar eclipse will be able to see a partial eclipse on Saturday.
Source: Nasa
It is essential to use safe solar viewing glasses, also known as eclipse glasses, which are thousands of times darker than regular sunglasses. Regardless of the brand, the eclipse glasses should comply with the ISO 12312-3 international standard.
‘Always inspect your eclipse glasses or handheld viewer before use; if torn, scratched, or otherwise damaged, discard the device,’ states Nasa.
‘Do NOT look at the Sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury.’
The next major phenomenon, a total solar eclipse, will occur on April 8, 2024. That happens when the Moon travels between the Sun and Earth and completely blocks the Sun and the sky becomes dark. It is the only type of eclipse in which viewers can momentarily take off the protective glasses and gaze at it with the naked eye.
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