A ‘Ring of Fire’ will light up the sky soon. Here’s when & how to view it

Chelsea Madden
·3 min read

A ring of fire will appear in the sky soon. Are you ready for it?

Well, it’s not actual fire. It’s a solar eclipse and it will be a stellar sight.

According to NASA, “an annular solar eclipse will cross North, Central, and South America. It will be visible in parts of the United States, Mexico, and many countries in South and Central America” this weekend.

Get your safe solar eclipse glasses ready!

Here’s more about when and how to view it in your area:

When will it appear in the sky?

The annular solar eclipse will appear Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.

The event will take place beginning at 9:13 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time and end at 12:03 p.m. Central Daylight Time. Depending on where it is viewed, the eclipse will last two to five minutes.

During the annular solar eclipse:

  • Georgia and Alabama will have a 50-60% obscuration of the sun

  • Mississippi will have a 60% obscuration of the sun

  • Ohio will have a 30-40% obscuration of the sun

The 10 biggest cities in the U.S. with the best view of the “ring of fire” include:

  • New York: 23% at 1:22 p.m. EDT

  • Los Angeles: 71% at 9:24 a.m. PDT

  • Chicago: 43% at 11:58 a.m. CDT

  • Houston: 85% at 11:58 a.m. CDT

  • Phoenix: 79% at 9:31 a.m. MST

  • Philadelphia: 25% at 1:21 p.m. EDT

  • San Antonio: “Ring of fire” at 11:52 a.m. CDT

  • San Diego: 68% a.m. at 9:26 PDT

  • Dallas: 80% at 11:52 a.m. CDT

  • San Jose, California: 75% at 9:20 a.m. PDT

What is an annular solar eclipse?

“An annular solar eclipse happens when the moon appears relatively small in the sky so it does not fully cover the disk of the sun, leaving a thin outer ring often called a ‘ring of fire,’” according to Space.com.

This weekend, the moon will look small and only cover 91% of the sun’s disk. The path of view (called the path of annularity) will be around 118 to 137 miles wide. The point of greatest eclipse will last around 5 minutes and 17 seconds in which the “ring of fire” can be seen. According to Space.com, there is an interactive map with the full path of annularity, so you can see which states in the U.S. will have the best and longest view of the eclipse.

It’s different from a total solar eclipse.

The annular solar eclipse is not a total solar eclipse, but there will be a total solar eclipse in 2024. A total solar eclipse is when the moon totally blocks the face of the sun.

Tips for viewing:

In order to safely view the annular solar eclipse, you must have solar eclipse glasses. Regular sunglasses won’t be safe enough for your eyes.

Cameras, telescopes and binoculars must have solar filters placed in front of their lenses at all times.

According to the American Astronomical Society (AAS) here’s how to use solar eclipse glasses:

  • Inspect your solar filter before use. If they’re scratched, discard them.

  • Always supervise children using solar filters.

  • If you wear glasses then put solar eclipse glasses over them.

  • Cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses before looking at the sun and look away from the sun before removing them.

Tell us how you’re preparing for the annular solar eclipse. Comment below with your plans and what you are most excited about.