Will 'ring of fire' eclipse be visible in Asheville? What to know, where to get free glasses

ASHEVILLE - With a recent supermoon, an upcoming partial eclipse and another solar eclipse in April of next year, Asheville residents should expect to have a universe of opportunities to view astronomical events in the coming months.

However, eclipse viewers should know a few things prior to — literally — staring at the sun. Remember, an eclipse should not be viewed without proper eye protection.

More: New observatory sets sights on community, educational outreach

Eclipse tips: NC Highway Patrol gives tips to eclipse viewers

What is an annular solar eclipse?

The Oct. 14 annular eclipse is the result of the moon passing in front of the sun, though the moon will not totally cover the sun's disk at any point during the eclipse — even if you are in the primary path of the eclipse.

This will create a distinct ring around the moon, colloquially known as the "ring of fire." The lack of full solar coverage differentiates it from a total solar eclipse — where the moon entirely blocks out the sun.

Enrique Gomez, associate professor of physics and astronomy at Western Carolina University, said the annular eclipse is different from a total eclipse because of the orbit of the moon. During an annular eclipse, the moon is orbiting farther away, allowing some light to still get by the moon and creating the "ring of fire."

What time is the Oct. 14 eclipse?

The partial eclipse is expected to be visible from 11:46 a.m. to 2:42 p.m. Oct. 14 in the Asheville area, according to the Astronomy Club of Asheville.

The maximum eclipse is around 1:13 p.m., where the moon will block out roughly half of the sun's disk. To be more precise, about 44.9% of the sun's disk will be blocked by the moon, according to the Astronomy Club of Asheville.

The last total solar eclipse occurred in Western North Carolina into one of the most-coveted places on Earth astronomy buffs on Aug. 21, 2017, when parts of the region were briefly plunged into near-total darkness in the "zone of totality."

How do I view the eclipse? Where can I find free eclipse glasses?

While this should go without saying — never stare at the sun.

Those who are interested in viewing the eclipse should wear eye protection that blocks out the sun and protects against harmful ultraviolet light.

If you don't already have a pair, Buncombe County libraries have you covered.

Eclipse glasses will be available for free at all Buncombe County library branches alongside several branches offering educational displays and activities related to the event, according at Oct. 6 Buncombe County news release.

Free glasses are only available on Oct. 14 — the day of the eclipse. With limited supply, free glasses are first-come, first-served basis.

Don't try to stare at the sun without protection, otherwise, you may end up with a permanent scar, Gomez said/

"When I was educating people about the 2017 eclipse, I met, for instance, one gentleman that had permanent eye damage, because back in the 1970s, he forced himself to see the partial phase of the sun during a perfect during the eclipse," Gomez said.

"And as a result, every time that he goes out and looks in a bright area, he always seems to kind of have this after image of a crescent permanently burned into his retina."

Check your old eclipse glasses

If you have a pair of eclipse glasses from the 2017 eclipse, you may want to make sure they are structurally sound and — more importantly — not knock-offs, Gomez said.

"They have to be certified with an ISO rating of 12,312, which is an international safety standard for safely viewing," Gomez said. "I saw, in 2017, lots of unscrupulous vendors that have essentially stolen the ISO logo and put them in their glasses, but it's not listed as being 12,312 ISO certified."

"That is a serious concern."

Where to view the partial eclipse?

While Asheville may not be within the path of the full eclipse, here are some good locations near Asheville to view the eclipse:

• Take a trip to Leicester Library to view the eclipse and get free eclipse glasses. Glasses are available only day-of the event.

• Take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Mount Pisgah Trailhead to enjoy a hike out to enjoy nature while the eclipse occurs.

• Take a trip to Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

However, if you are looking to see the full annular solar eclipse, you might need to book a flight at the Asheville Regional Airport.

One of the closest locations one can see the full solar eclipse is in New Braunfels, Texas, which is a nearly 18-hour drive from Asheville, according to Google Maps. Otherwise, you could book a flight to San Antonio or Santa Fe, two of the largest metro areas that will be within full eclipse.

More: Winter Lights 'holiday extravaganza' returns to NC Arboretum for 10th year

What will you see during the eclipse?

Gomez, who researches the effects of eclipses, said the change in the atmosphere's temperature as a result of diminished light is a primary aspect of eclipse research.

However, for those who don't have a thermometer, you may be able to compare the experience to being on another planet.

The partial eclipse may make the light from the sun similar to the light one may experience on another planet like Mars, Gomez said.

"So during a partial phase, like what we have right here, you may get the same level of light that Mars gets," Gomez said.

However, if you go closer to the areas of the eclipse's totality, you will experience the level of light you might expect on Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune or Uranus.

Though the area may not experience some of the more extreme side effects of the eclipse, like strange animal behavior or extreme temperature changes, eclipse viewers may be able to see the strange "1,000 crescents" phenomena, where light refracted through objects will represent the image from the eclipse, Gomez said.

"The gaps in between leaves act like tiny little pinhole cameras. So you get a projection of the sun's image when it's essentially partially blocked."

More: More people are moving to Asheville than leaving; what's driving the influx?

More: Answer Woman: How many students enrolled at Asheville colleges? Most popular majors?

Another eclipse soon?

If you miss this eclipse — don't worry. There will be a total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, which will totally block out the sun from view.

April's total eclipse will occur from around 2-5 p.m., where the eclipse is expected to cover roughly 85% of the sun's disk in the Asheville area, according to Eclipse2024.

Will Hofmann is the Growth and Development Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Got a tip? Email him at WHofmann@citizentimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: What to know about eclipse in Asheville: Where to find free glasses