In an annular solar eclipse, the outer edge of the Sun stays visible as a bright ring surrounding the dark disk of the Moon. The “ring of fire” is a colloquial term used to describe the look of the Sun during an annular solar eclipse. Utilizing observations from various NASA objectives, this map shows where the Moons shadow will cross the U.S. during the 2023 annular solar eclipse and 2024 total solar eclipse. On October 14, 2023, an annular solar eclipse will create a “ring of fire” in the sky from Oregon to Texas. On October 14, 2023, a “ring of fire,” or annular, solar eclipse will travel from the Oregon coast to the Gulf of Mexico.
On October 14, 2023, a “ring of fire,” or annular, solar eclipse will travel from the Oregon coast to the Gulf of Mexico. Weather condition permitting, most of the Americas will have the ability to view at least a partial solar eclipse. Credit: NASA.
Enjoying the eclipse from a virtual place is a great option if you are not within the course of annularity. Join NASA for discussions with scientists and telescope views from throughout the nation on NASAs YouTube beginning at 10:30 a.m. CT on October 14, 2023.
The annular total solar eclipse on October 14, 2023, will cover from the U.S. to Brazil. For finest views, be in the course of annularity or sign up with NASAs YouTube at 10:30 a.m. CT for a virtual experience. Credit: NASA
An annular total solar eclipse will be visible throughout areas from the northwestern U.S. to Brazil on October 14, 2023. This event, defined by the Moons “ring of fire” look around the Sun, happens when the Moon is at its farthest from Earth.
On October 14, 2023, an annular total solar eclipse will show up to millions across the globe as it sweeps through the skies of the northwestern United States through Mexico and Central America and into South America, leaving the continent in Brazil. Even if you are not in the path of annularity, you will still be able to see a partial solar eclipse if weather conditions are.
Animated map revealing the 2023 annular eclipse path (red dot) and partial eclipse exposure (shadowed area). Credit: Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak, NASAs GSFC
An annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon comes directly in between the Earth and the Sun, however due to its elliptical orbit, the Moon is too far away from the Earth to cover the Sun completely. This is in contrast to an overall solar eclipse, where the Moon totally obscures the Sun, leading to a quick period of daytime darkness.
You need a clear sky to see the eclipse. Even with cloud cover, the eerie daytime darkness associated with eclipses is still noticeable to human animals as well as the four-footed ones and the flying ones. Birds go to roost, bees return to the hive, and even turtles come out of ponds.
To see all stages of an annular eclipse, consisting of the “ring of fire,” you need to view it from someplace within the path of annularity.
The term “annular” is originated from the Latin word “annulus,” which suggests ring-shaped.
NASAs Hinode satellite caught this awesome image of an annular solar eclipse on January 4, 2011. Credit: NASA/Hinode/XRT.
In an annular solar eclipse, the external edge of the Sun stays visible as a bright ring surrounding the dark disk of the Moon. Since the apparent size of the Moon is smaller than that of the Sun, this phenomenon happens. Simply put, the Moon does not appear big enough in the sky to cover the Sun totally.
Ring of Fire.
The “ring of fire” is a colloquial term used to describe the look of the Sun during an annular solar eclipse. As mentioned, throughout such an eclipse, the Moon does not cover the Sun totally. The resulting result is a brilliant, ring-like outline of the Suns area. This luminescent ring, which is actually the Suns outer edge, resembles a ring of fire due to its blazing look against the relatively dark sky. Its a stunning visual that is excitedly waited for by skywatchers and astronomers alike whenever an annular eclipse is anticipated.
This conceptual animation is an example of what you may expect to see through certified solar-viewing glasses or a handheld solar filter throughout an annular solar eclipse, like the one happening over the United States on October 14, 2023. Annular eclipses are popular for the “ring of fire” effect that appears around the edge of the Moon.
Its important to note that the “ring of fire” is very bright and can trigger damage to the eyes if seen without correct protective glasses. When watching any phase of a solar eclipse, observers must always utilize specially created solar viewing glasses or other safe watching approaches.
Utilizing observations from different NASA missions, this map reveals where the Moons shadow will cross the U.S. during the 2023 annular solar eclipse and 2024 overall solar eclipse. The map was developed by NASAs Scientific Visualization Studio (SVS) in collaboration with the NASA Heliophysics Activation Team (NASA HEAT), part of NASAs Science Activation portfolio. Credit: NASA/Scientific Visualization Studio/Michala Garrison; eclipse computations by Ernie Wright, NASA Goddard Space Flight.
A map (above) developed utilizing data from a variety of NASA sources shows a detailed eclipse path and what observers throughout the States can anticipate to see at their local time.
During an overall solar eclipse, like the upcoming 2024 Solar Eclipse, the Moon is close enough to Earth to be sufficiently big to totally cover the intense face of the Sun. Throughout the couple of minutes of totality, there will be darkness around midday.
2 solar eclipses will cross the United States in 2023 and 2024. On October 14, 2023, an annular solar eclipse will produce a “ring of fire” in the sky from Oregon to Texas. On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will darken the skies from Texas to Maine.
What you can see throughout an annular eclipse depends on the weather and your place.