By Douglas Helm
| Published 5 mins ago
A ring of fire eclipse will be visible over North America on October 13, marking the first time in eleven years that such an event has happened. Space gazers in the United States and parts of Central and South America will have the opportunity to witness this rare spectacle.
The ring of fire eclipse, also known as an annular eclipse, occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, causing the moon to cast a shadow on the Sun’s surface. This creates an eerie sight, with a black disc covering most of the Sun and a fiery ring, or annulus, of light surrounding it.
The eclipse is set to begin on October 13 and will be visible from eight different states in the US. Those in Oregon, Northern California, Nevada, Utah, northeastern Arizona, southwestern Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas will have the best chance to see the full eclipse. However, it’s important to note that viewers must be within the 125-mile path to witness the complete event. Others outside this path will only experience a partial eclipse.
To view the ring of fire eclipse safely, observers must use specialized eclipse glasses or employ indirect viewing methods such as a pinhole projector. It is not safe to look directly at the Sun with the naked eye during the eclipse.
Ideal viewing conditions would include clear skies, but any conditions where the Sun is visible should be sufficient for witnessing the event. Unfortunately, those with cloudy or rainy skies may have limited visibility.
After passing over North America, the eclipse will continue its journey over Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Panama, Colombia, and the coast of Brazil. This gives viewers in these regions the chance to marvel at the celestial spectacle as well.
For those who miss the ring of fire eclipse or simply want more celestial wonders, there is good news. The next total solar eclipse visible in the United States will occur on April 8, 2024. However, after that, the next opportunity to witness a total eclipse in the US won’t be until 2044. So, make sure to mark your calendars and prepare to travel for these breathtaking astronomical events.