Millions of people will have the opportunity to witness a celestial spectacle on Saturday as the moon aligns itself between the Earth and the sun, resulting in a breathtaking ‘Ring of Fire’ in the sky. This year’s annular solar eclipse will span a path approximately 125 miles long, stretching from Oregon to Brazil. Oregon, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas are among the eight US states that will be within the path of the Ring of Fire.
The ‘Ring of Fire’ solar eclipse will commence on October 14 at 12:13 pm ET in Oregon and come to a conclusion in Texas three hours later. This is the first time in 11 years that North America will have the opportunity to witness an annular solar eclipse.
However, it is important to note that experts strongly caution against looking directly at the sun without proper eye protection, such as solar eclipse glasses. In the 2023 annular solar eclipse, Oregon, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas will be among the eight US states in the eclipse’s trajectory.
So, what exactly is a ‘Ring of Fire’ solar eclipse? A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, blocking the view of a small portion of the sun’s face along a specific path on Earth. The upcoming event on October 14 is referred to as an annular solar eclipse because it takes place when the moon is at or near its farthest point from Earth during its orbit. Unlike a total solar eclipse, an annular solar eclipse does not completely obscure the face of the sun. Instead, it appears as though a dark disc is superimposed on the sun’s larger, brighter face in the sky. This creates a momentary illusion of a ring of fire surrounding the dark disc of the moon.
Experts emphasize the dangers of directly looking at the sun during the eclipse without the appropriate eye protection designed for solar viewing, as it can result in eye injuries. The annular solar eclipse’s path will traverse a distance of 125 miles from Oregon to Brazil this year.
Where will the eclipse be most visible in the US? According to NASA, the path with the highest degree of obscuration in the US passes through parts of eight states and continues through Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia, and Brazil before ending at sunset in the Atlantic Ocean. While larger parts of North America, Central America, and South America will also observe the eclipse, the obscuration of the sun will be less pronounced. Michael Zeiler, a cartographer and eclipse-chaser at GreatAmericanEclipse.com, suggests that locations in the “Four Corners” region where Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona meet would be ideal for viewing the eclipse due to the sunny weather during this time of year, after the monsoon season and before winter storms.
Is it necessary to wear glasses to view the eclipse? Experts strongly advise against directly looking at the bright sun during an annular solar eclipse without the appropriate eye protection, as this can cause permanent eye damage. Since the sun is never completely obscured by the moon in an annular solar eclipse, it is crucial to wear specialized eye protection at all times. Using camera lenses, binoculars, or telescopes without a solar filter specifically intended for solar viewing can also result in severe eye injuries. They recommend using solar eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer designed for safe viewing throughout the entire duration of the annular solar eclipse. Regular sunglasses are not deemed safe for observing the sun. Certified solar eclipse glasses adhere to international safety standards and are designed to block out almost all visible, infrared, and ultraviolet light, making them approximately 100,000 times darker. Dr. Emily Drabek-Maunder, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, stresses the importance of never looking directly at the sun, even during a partial eclipse, as it can cause severe and irreversible damage to the eyes. She suggests creating a projector by poking a small hole into a piece of card as a safe alternative.
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