Annular Solar Eclipse to Grace Skies over the Americas; Scientists Eager for Rare Opportunity
CNN – Mark your calendars, as an annular solar eclipse is set to dazzle and captivate viewers in North, Central, and South America on October 14. This celestial event presents a rare opportunity for both scientists and the general public to witness the beauty and wonder of a “ring of fire” eclipse.
Peg Luce, acting director of the Heliophysics Division at NASA headquarters, describes the eclipse as a chance for millions of people to witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of a ring of fire. Annular solar eclipses occur when the moon is at its farthest point from Earth in its orbit, preventing it from completely blocking the sun. As a result, the sun’s fiery light surrounds the moon’s shadow, forming a ring of fire.
The annular solar eclipse will begin in the United States at 9:13 a.m. PT and pass from the Oregon coast to Texas’ Gulf Coast. It will be visible in states such as Oregon, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Texas, California, Idaho, Colorado, and Arizona. The eclipse will conclude in the US at 12:03 p.m. CT.
After crossing the US, the annular eclipse will move across Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia before ending off the Atlantic coast of Natal, Brazil. Weather permitting, all 49 continental US states, including Alaska, will also witness a crescent-shaped partial solar eclipse on October 14. NASA advises using their interactive eclipse map to determine the eclipse’s timing in your area.
For those unable to witness the eclipse in person, NASA will provide a live stream beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET on the day of the eclipse. The stream will feature views from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Kirbyville, Texas, and White Sands, New Mexico.
The next annular eclipse in this region is not expected until 2046, making this event a rarity that scientists are urging people to observe safely. NASA recommends wearing certified eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer for direct viewing. It is crucial to obtain ISO 12312-2 compliant solar eclipse glasses from approved sellers. Regular sunglasses do not provide adequate protection.
Viewing the eclipse indirectly through a pinhole projector is also an option, but one should never look directly at the sun through the pinhole. Additionally, applying sunscreen and wearing a hat to protect the skin is important for those spending extended periods outdoors during the eclipse.
Eclipses like these provide valuable research opportunities for scientists to study the sun’s interaction with Earth. NASA will launch three sounding rockets during the annular eclipse to monitor changes in the ionosphere, Earth’s upper atmosphere. Monitoring the effects of sunlight reduction on the ionosphere will help in understanding and modeling perturbations that affect satellite communications.
Amateur radio operators will also participate in an experiment during both the annular and total solar eclipses to observe how these phenomena impact the travel of radio waves. This research is crucial in understanding the direct influence of the sun on the ionosphere, which affects the distance radio communications can travel.
This annular solar eclipse serves as a prelude to an upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, which will be visible in parts of Mexico, Canada, and over 10 US states. Scientists are eagerly awaiting this event to capture observations of the sun’s corona, as it will occur during the peak of solar activity.
With the unique opportunities presented by these celestial events, scientists and enthusiasts are encouraged to make the most of these rare occurrences while ensuring their safety.