Annular Solar Eclipse 2023: Everything You Need to Know About North America's 'Ring of Fire' Eclipse

On October 14, 2023, North America will experience a rare and spectacular annular solar eclipse. During this type of eclipse, the Moon passes in front of the Sun but does not completely cover it, leaving a ring of sunlight visible around the Moon. This effect is caused by the Moon being slightly farther away from Earth than it is during a total solar eclipse.

The annular solar eclipse of 2023 will be visible from a narrow path that crosses eight states in the southwestern United States: Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. The path of annularity, where the "ring of fire" effect will be visible, is about 118 to 137 miles (190 to 220 kilometers) wide.

A partial solar eclipse will be visible from the rest of North America, as well as parts of Central and South America. However, only within the path of annularity will the full ring of fire be visible.

When and where to watch the annular solar eclipse

The annular solar eclipse of 2023 will begin at 9:13 AM Pacific Time (12:13 PM Eastern Time) in Oregon and end at 11:05 AM Pacific Time (2:05 PM Eastern Time) in Texas. The maximum duration of the annular phase will be 4 minutes and 57 seconds, and will occur in Nevada at 10:14 AM Pacific Time (1:14 PM Eastern Time).

If you are planning to watch the annular solar eclipse, it is important to be in the path of annularity and to use proper eye protection. Never look directly at the Sun, even during an eclipse. Instead, use special eclipse glasses or a solar filter. You can also project the image of the Sun onto a white surface using a telescope or binoculars.

Here are some tips for watching the annular solar eclipse safely:

·         Only look at the Sun during the eclipse using special eclipse glasses or a solar filter. These filters block out harmful ultraviolet and infrared radiation from the Sun.

·         Do not look directly at the Sun through binoculars or a telescope, even if they have a solar filter. This can damage your eyes.

·         Project the image of the Sun onto a white surface using a telescope or binoculars. This is a safe way to view the eclipse without looking directly at the Sun.

·         If you are unsure about how to safely view the eclipse, contact your local astronomy club or observatory.

What to expect during the annular solar eclipse

During the annular solar eclipse, the Sun will appear as a bright ring of light in the sky. The Moon will be centered in the ring, but it will not completely cover the Sun. The sky around the Sun will darken, but it will not be as dark as it is during a total solar eclipse.

The annular phase of the eclipse will last for about four minutes. During this time, you may see some interesting effects, such as:

·         Diamond rings: When the Moon is just about to cover the Sun, or when it is just about to uncover the Sun, you may see a bright flash of light that resembles a diamond ring.

·         Baily's beads: These are bright beads of light that appear around the edge of the Moon just before and after the annular phase.

·         Shadow bands: These are wavy bands of light and shadow that dance across the ground during the eclipse.

The annular solar eclipse of 2023 is a rare and beautiful event. If you have the opportunity to see it, be sure to take advantage of it!

Additional information

Here is some additional information about annular solar eclipses:

·         Annular solar eclipses occur when the Moon is at its farthest point from Earth in its orbit. This means that the Moon appears smaller than the Sun in the sky, and does not completely cover it during the eclipse.

·         Annular solar eclipses are less common than total solar eclipses. On average, there are about two annular solar eclipses each year, compared to about one total solar eclipse every 18 months.

·         The path of annularity is relatively narrow, and the annular phase of the eclipse is typically only visible for a few minutes. This is why annular solar eclipses are less well-known than total solar eclipses.

Safety is paramount

It is important to remember that it is never safe to look directly at the Sun, even during an eclipse. Always use proper eye protection when viewing a solar eclipse.