Rare “Ring of Fire” Annular Solar Eclipse Lights up the Sky in the Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — On Saturday morning, parts of the Western U.S., including the Bay Area, were treated to the sight of a rare annular solar eclipse. At around 9:30 a.m., approximately 70% of the sun was covered by the moon, creating what is known as “the ring of fire.”
To safely view the eclipse, experts recommended using special eclipse glasses or looking through the shade of trees. The event was also streamed live on NASA TV for those unable to witness it in person.
Explaining the phenomenon, NASA Research and Analysis Heliophysics Division Lead Patrick Koehn said, “A solar eclipse happens when the moon moves directly between the earth and the sun. With an annular eclipse, the moon is a little bit farther away than it ordinarily might be. So, it doesn’t quite cover the entire disc of the sun and it leaves this ring shape.”
“This is an opportunity to see a very rare event,” added NASA Ames Research Center Senior Research Scientist Jon Jenkins. “And that is, an occasion when the moon is actually between the Earth and the sun from our point of view and can actually get in front of the sun and actually block a large portion of it.”
The eclipse lasted for three hours, starting at around 8 a.m., with the path of the eclipse much closer to the Bay Area compared to the total solar eclipse of 2017 and the one expected in April 2024.
Since the sun remained visible during the eclipse, it was crucial to use special viewing devices such as eclipse glasses or pinhole cameras. ABC7 News Meteorologist Drew Tuma suggested a simple method using a cereal box, a white piece of paper, and aluminum foil. By creating a small hole in the box and positioning oneself away from the sun, an image of the sun and the shadow created by the passing moon could be viewed.
The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) expressed confidence in the reliability of the grid during the eclipse, stating, “We do expect that with the amount of coordination and planning with the stakeholders, we’ll be able to safeguard the reliability of the grid during Saturday’s eclipse. We expect that we will successfully manage all of the loss and return of the solar.” CAISO will further analyze the grid’s performance during the partial eclipse to prepare for the total solar eclipse expected in 2024.
In conclusion, Koehn said, “It’s a singular moment in time where you get to see something — along with, of course, several billion of your other closest friends — you get to see this first-hand, this unique opportunity first-hand.”