May 18, 2012
The ‘Ring of Fire’ Eclipse You Might See Sunday
The October 3, 2005 annular eclipse, as seen from Spain. Photo by Abel Pardo López
On Sunday evening, for the first time in 18 years, a solar eclipse will be visible from the continental United States. This won’t be your typical eclipse, either—as in the picture above, from October 3, 2005, the moon will cross directly in front of the sun but block out only a portion of its light, leaving a “ring of fire” that is much thicker than the ring seen during most total eclipses.
Why the ring of fire? Total solar eclipses occur when the moon passes directly between the sun and earth, covering up the sun for a brief duration from our vantage point. Because the moon is currently near apogee—meaning it’s at a point in its orbit that is farther from us than usual—the moon appears smaller in the sky, and thus isn’t large enough to block the entire sun. The result: a bold, shimmering ring of fire, known as an annular eclipse.
Unfortunately, those on the East Coast (including us here at Smithsonian) won’t be able to see the eclipse at all, since the sun will set by the time it will occur. Many residents of Western states will be able to see the ring of fire eclipse during the afternoon or evening on Sunday; others will see a partial eclipse, in which the moon crosses in front of the sun off-center, blocking just one portion of it. This NASA map shows the thin swath of the United States that will be able to see the annular eclipse. If you’re outside it, you can click on your exact location to see what time you should look to the sky to see a partial eclipse.
Although up to 94 percent of the sun’s light will be blocked out by the eclipse, looking at it for even a few seconds with the naked eye can cause permanent harm to your retinas. (Don’t try watching with your smartphone or digital camera, either—it can damage the lens.) Instead, punch a small hole in a piece of cardboard and allow the sun’s light to pass through it, and you’ll see a projected image of the eclipse on the ground. You can also look to the shaded ground beneath a leafy tree to see the shadows turn into circular rings of light.
Watch the video below by Science@NASA for a full explanation of the astronomical phenomenon:
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When I was a child I remember seeing the solar eclipse from the hills of Rancho Palos Verdes (CA). That day, Mom and Dad took me to my first “aquatic park,” – Marineland of the Pacific. I wanted very much to see this, but was cautioned to not look up. Dad came up with an ingenious idea! I have never heard anyone mention this and I would like to think it was an original. It was a warm day and I happened to be drinking a Coke at the time. Once we noticed the eclipse was underway, Dad said “Look at it thru your soda! Just a few brief glances, no long stares, since it still is bright.” I did take a few glances and was fasinated!! It being a dark cola in a wide brimmed cup, with little or no ice, makes all the difference. WARNING: Don’t do this with Sprite, Mountain Dew, clear sodas, etc. Cola is the best and safest! Enjoy! :O)
I’m a Dispatcher for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Rangers, Nevada. The Lake is in the prime spot for viewing the eclipse. It’s really exciting to have such a rare event in our area. My phone has been ringing off the hook for information. I have my appropriate glasses to view this. I always wanted to see one but it was always someplace I could never afford to go to. Now it’s in my backyard!