The first images of the moon passing between the sun and Earth in a so-called “Ring of Fire” eclipse are about to emerge, and the view is stunning.
The moon and sun are aligning in what scientists call an annular eclipse, in which the moon does not completely cover the sun, leaving a visible ring of bright sunlight, creating a “ring of fire” effect. The eclipse will be visible to millions of viewers in several U.S. states, from Oregon to Texas, before heading to Mexico and other parts of Central and South America before ending in Brazil. You can watch the live broadcast online at Space.comprovided by NASA.
Partial phase of solar eclipse begins in parts of Oregon 11:03 AM ET (8:03 AM PDT/1603 GMT)the first “Ring of Fire” is expected to be 12:13 PM ET (9:13 AM PDT/1713 GMT). You can view the full schedule of the October 14 solar eclipse here.
more: Live updates for the October 14 solar eclipse
How long will the annular solar eclipse last on October 14?
Space.com editor Brett Tingley observed the eclipse from Great Basin National Park in Nevada, where clouds initially threatened to disrupt the landscape.
“When the clouds began to part, about 30 minutes after the eclipse began, and the sun and moon came back into view, the crowd at Great Basin National Park let out a long sigh,” Tinley told Space at the observation station .com. Arrangements are provided by the Nevada Department of Tourism. He captured stunning views of part of an annular solar eclipse.
Weather permitting, the partial solar eclipse will be visible across the United States and across large swathes of North, Central and South America. But the stunning “ring of fire” effect can only be seen from the elongated circular path.
The circular path, 125 miles (200 kilometers) wide, made landfall in Oregon at 12:13 PM EDT (9:13 AM PDT/1713 GMT) before moving southeast through Nevada, Utah states and parts of New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Texas. It will then head to Mexico and pass through parts of Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Brazil.
Below is a schedule of solar eclipses.
| Place | “Ring of Fire” local time | “Ring of Fire” duration |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Sandhills, Oregon | 9:15 AM PDT | 4 minutes and 29 seconds |
| Crater Lake National Park, Oregon | 9:17 AM PDT | 4 minutes and 19 seconds |
| Great Basin National Park, Nevada | 9:24 AM PDT | 3 minutes and 46 seconds |
| Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah | 10:27 a.m. (Central Time) | 2 minutes and 31 seconds |
| canyonlands national park utah | 10:29 a.m. (Central Time) | 2 minutes and 24 seconds |
| Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado | 10:31 a.m. (Central Time) | 2 minutes and 57 seconds |
| Albuquerque, New Mexico | 10:34 a.m. (Central Time) | 4 minutes and 42 seconds |
| Corpus Christi, Texas | 11:55 a.m. (Central Time) | 4 minutes and 52 seconds |
| Edeznam Mayan archaeological site in Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico | 11:23 a.m. (Central Standard Time) | 4 minutes and 32 seconds |
#boiseeclipse. #Eclipse2023 pic.twitter.com/pvOb4esoUXOctober 14, 2023
Stockton, CA 9:15-9:20 AM #SolarEclipse #CAwx #WxTwitter pic.twitter.com/GefhtE3TrZOctober 14, 2023
NASA and scientists in the United States and around the world are studying the eclipse in detail. In New Mexico, NASA is launching a series of sounding rocket and balloon experiments to study the eclipse and is asking the public to help as part of a citizen science program.
“This is an important day for NASA scientists as the solar eclipse provides a unique opportunity to study the Sun,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a video broadcast live by the agency. “What we learn from these eclipses, along with our heliophysics research, has incredible benefits for our human exploration… We wouldn’t be able to exist on Earth without its energy. Think about it – It affects everything.”
IMPORTANT: Remember to never Look directly at the sun. You will need to use a solar filter to safely view an annular solar eclipse to avoid serious eye damage. Eclipse glasses are required for naked-eye observers, and if you are using a camera, telescope, or binoculars, you must always have a protective solar filter in front of your lens.our How to observe the sun safely Guide telling you everything you need to know about safe solar observation.
Today’s solar eclipse is the last of 2023, but it also heralds an even more amazing event: the total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024.
If you took a photo of an annular solar eclipse and would like to share it with Space.com readers, please send your photo, comment, and your name and location to [email protected].
