Annular Solar Eclipse Briefly Visible Locally Due to Cloudy Conditions
photo by Crystal Reed
Visitors to Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library look through special viewing glasses to observe the annular solar eclipse Saturday. The eclipse was viewable briefly in between clouds passing in front it.
•October 18, 2023•
by Crystal Reed
On Saturday, October 14, the annular solar eclipse crossed North, Central and South America. It was visible in parts of the United States, Mexico and many countries in South and Central America. According to science.nasa.gov, the solar eclipse began in Oregon at 9:13 am PDT and ended in Texas at 12:03 pm CDT.
A annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth while it is at its farthest point from Earth. Because the Moon is farther away from Earth, it appears smaller than the Sun and does not completely cover the star. According to science. nasa.gov this eclipse is often referred to as a “ring of fire”. Because the Sun is never completely covered, those observing must where proper eye protection at all time while watching an annular eclipse.