The Rare ‘Ring Of Fire’ Solar Eclipse Happens This Month. Here’s How To Watch It!
There is a solar eclipse happening this month, and it will be visible in North America, Central America, and South America.
Now, this is a SOLAR eclipse, which means the moon is going to pass in front of the sun — something that is pretty rare.
If you are going to be in the path of this solar eclipse, you do NOT want to miss it!
It will be more than a decade before you might have the chance to see this type of solar eclipse again.
What Is A “Ring of Fire” Solar Eclipse?
This is going to be what’s called a “ring of fire” eclipse — or annual solar eclipse — which means the moon will pass between the sun and Earth, partially covering the sun, making what appears to be a “ring of fire” around the moon.
This eclipse happens in several phases: a partial eclipse, an annularity, the return to partial eclipse, and the fourth contact.
When the eclipse starts, the moon will start to cover the sun, making it look smaller and smaller.
It takes about an hour and 20 minutes for the moon to pass completely in front of the sun, which will leave what looks like a “ring of fire” around the moon.
The sky will dim, and it may look like dusk for about 5 minutes.
After this point, the moon will start to pass the opposite way over the sun, until the sun is, once again, completely visible.
Who Will Be Able To See This “Ring of Fire” Solar Eclipse?
Now, unfortunately, not everyone in the U.S. is going to be able to see this “Ring of Fire” eclipse.
The “Ring of Fire” will be visible in the West to Central United States, but us unlucky individuals in the Eastern half of the country will not be able to partake in the solar eclipse festivities.
According to CNN:
The annual solar eclipse in the U.S. will begin in Oregon at 9:13 p.m. It will end in Texas at 12:03 p.m. CDT. It will continue over Mexico and Central America, passing over Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. The eclipse also crosses over into South America in Columbia and northern Brazil before ending at sunset in the Atlantic Ocean.
CNN
Do You Need Special Eyewear To See The “Ring of Fire” Solar Eclipse?
It is VERY IMPORTANT TO NOTE that you should NOT watch this solar eclipse without proper eyewear, otherwise you can permanently scorch your retinas.
Normal sunglasses aren’t going to do the trick. You need solar glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard.
You can get solar eclipse glasses here.
When Is This “Ring of Fire” Solar Eclipse?
You are going to want to turn your eyes to the skies on Saturday, Oct. 14.
There won’t be another chance to see a “Ring of Fire” solar eclipse in the U.S. until June 21, 2039 — and it will only be visible over Alaska at this time.
Bottom line — if you are in the path of the “Ring of Fire” solar eclipse, get yourself outside with your solar glasses to check it out!
It just might be the only chance you have to see such a spectacular event.
