Partial solar eclipse to create 'ring of fire' in the sky. Here's how to see it from NJ
New Jersey residents will see a partial solar eclipse as its path passes through the western United States this weekend, a prelude to a total eclipse coming closer to the region in six months, experts say.
The "ring of fire" eclipse, so named because of the halo of light appearing around the moon as it crosses in front of the sun, will begin in the U.S. in Oregon at 9:13 a.m. Pacific Standard Time Saturday, according to NASA. The 125-mile-wide path will continue southeast through much of Nevada, Utah and New Mexico, leaving Texas at 12:03 p.m. local time on its way through Central and South America.
The moon will appear slightly smaller Saturday, thus producing the ring, because it is only about four days past apogee, the farthest point from Earth in its orbit, according to the Farmers' Almanac.
The phenomenon will block out a majority of the sun for several minutes in areas within the eclipse path, the almanac stated. People in Salt Lake City and Portland, Oregon, will see as much as 87% of the sun covered Saturday morning, followed by a maximum of 85% in Houston and 81% in Dallas.
The amount of sun covered by the moon drops off sharply in the east, but the area will still see a partial eclipse early in the afternoon. Viewers in New York City will see the greatest amount of coverage at approximately 1:23 p.m., when 23% of the sun is shielded, according to the almanac.
Related: A spectacular solar eclipse will darken the sky Saturday. Will the one in April be better?
The Liberty Science Center is hosting a variety of activities for Ring of Fire Eclipse Day Saturday, with tickets for the celebration available online. The public can take part in hands-on astronomy lessons, learn more about why eclipses happen, receive free solar viewing glasses and see a live webcast showing views of the eclipse around the world.
The center will also preview the next eclipse, a total solar eclipse whose path will travel much closer to New Jersey, on April 8, 2024.
The total eclipse will enter North America through Mexico and travel northeast all the way through Maine and eastern Canada, according to the American Astronomical Society. New York City, just outside the eclipse path, will see up to 90% of the sun covered that afternoon.
The U.S. last experienced a ring of fire eclipse in 2012, according to the Farmers' Almanac, while the most recent total solar eclipse was in 2017. Space enthusiasts in America are urged to check out these events while they have the opportunity, because it will be a while before either is seen again.
The next ring of fire eclipse will hit the country in 2039, and it will only be visible in Alaska, according to the Associated Press. Residents of the continental U.S. will have to wait seven more years, until 2046, for the next ring of fire to be visible.
After the spring, the next total solar eclipse that will be seen from the continental U.S. will take place Aug. 23, 2044, NASA said.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Solar eclipse 2023: How to see 'ring of fire' from NJ
