Sunday October 15, 2023:
Welcome to the Annular Solar Eclipse of 2023! An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes in front of the Sun, but the apparent size of the Moon is smaller than that of the Sun, leaving a ring of sunlight visible around the Moon. This phenomenon is also known as a “ring of fire” eclipse. On October 14, 2023, an annular solar eclipse crossed North, Central, and South America, offering a spectacular sight to millions of people along its path.
The eclipse began in Oregon at 9:13 am PDT (12:13 pm EDT) and ended in Texas at 12:03 pm CDT (1:03 pm EDT). The path of annularity, which is 118 to 137 miles (190 to 220 kilometers) wide, traversed 8 U.S. states: Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Within this narrow path, the ring of fire lasted for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds at the centerline. Outside this path, a partial eclipse was visible to all of North America (including New England at about 10% coverage), Central America, and most of South America.
An annular solar eclipse is a rare and beautiful event that can only happen when the Moon is near its farthest point from Earth (called apogee) and the Earth is near its closest point to the Sun (called perihelion). These conditions make the Moon appear smaller and the Sun appear larger in the sky. The next annular solar eclipse will occur on October 2, 2024, and will be visible from parts of Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The next total solar eclipse will occur on April 8, 2024 over North America. Stay tune...
This event is a stunning visual spectacle and an opportunity to learn more about the Sun and the Moon. Scientists can use eclipses to study the Sun’s corona, which is the outer layer of its atmosphere that is normally hidden by its brightness. They can also measure the Moon’s distance and diameter more accurately during eclipses. Moreover, eclipses can inspire curiosity and wonder among people of all ages and backgrounds. This is a reminder of the beauty and mystery of our solar system.
Ring of Fire
Inspire | Explore | Capture
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