CNN- Excitement Builds as Spectacular Celestial Events Approach
This month and next April, skywatchers in the Americas are eagerly awaiting two major celestial events: the “ring of fire” annular eclipse on October 14, 2023, and the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Both events will attract viewers across the United States and neighboring countries as they witness the moon passing between Earth and the sun.
Although the total solar eclipse is the main draw for many, tourists are also flocking to areas in the path of the annular eclipse. Car-sharing website Turo has reported an increase in car bookings in major cities in Oregon, New Mexico, and Texas near the path of the annular eclipse. Booking.com has also reported increased searches for San Antonio, Texas, the largest US city in the path of the annular eclipse, compared to the same period last year.
During the annular eclipse, which begins at 9:13 a.m. PT along the Oregon coast and ends in Texas at 12:03 p.m. CT, the moon will cover over 90% of the sun’s surface, creating a stunning “ring of fire” effect. This phenomenon can be observed using protective viewing glasses. The eclipse’s path will continue through parts of Central and South America before finishing at sunset over the Atlantic Ocean.
While the annular eclipse is seen by many as a warm-up for the total solar eclipse in 2024, some interesting effects may still be observed. Professor Mark Littmann says that the sky may take on unusual colors, and the temperature may cool down slightly. Viewing an annular eclipse is a special experience, as the next one over the contiguous United States will not occur until 2046.
For those looking to witness the annular eclipse from the best locations, national parks such as Bryce Canyon, Grand-Staircase Escalante, Capitol Reef, and Canyonlands in Utah offer spectacular landscapes and open spaces for photography. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico, featuring over 550 balloons, will coincide with the annular eclipse, providing a unique viewing experience from the sky. The town of Roswell in New Mexico, known as the UFO capital of the world, is also expected to attract visitors during the eclipse.
In Texas, viewers can enjoy the annular eclipse from San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country. San Antonio will be in the path of both the annular and total eclipses, offering various viewing parties and events throughout the city. Nearby towns, such as Kerrville and Bandera, will also provide opportunities for camping, live music, and outdoor activities during the eclipse.
Corpus Christi, along the Gulf of Mexico, will experience one of the longest durations of annularity in the United States, with over five minutes of the “ring of fire.” The city is expected to draw crowds as people gather along the Corpus Christi Bayfront and North Padre Island to witness this remarkable event.
For those looking to combine the annular eclipse with a cultural experience, ancient Mayan sites in Mexico, such as Edzná and Uzmal, offer evocative settings to observe the celestial event. Although Chichén Itzá, a famous Mayan site, is just outside the path of annularity, these lesser-known sites provide a similar connection to Mayan astronomy and the celestial world.
As the dates of these celestial events approach, excitement is building among skywatchers and tourists who are eagerly preparing to witness the beauty and wonder of these rare events in the Americas.