2023 Annular Solar Eclipse

October 14th, 2023

Eleven years after an annular solar eclipse crossed the western United States on May 20, 2012, another annular eclipse will race across the USA from Oregon to Texas on Saturday, October 14, 2023. The eclipse begins its trip through the US at Oregon’s Pacific Coast. It then will move southeastward over California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. The path of annularity moves through the American Southwest, which will provide lots of opportunities to capture the eclipse above stunning landscapes. 

After the eclipse leaves the US at the Texas gulf coast, it proceeds to Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Brazil. This eclipse is a preview for the the total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024 which crosses Mexico, US, and Canada.

Do you need Eclipse Glasses for an annular solar eclipse?

During an annular solar eclipse, the apparent size of the Moon’s disk is slightly smaller than the apparent size of the Sun’s disk. Therefore only the outer edge of the Sun remains visible and the Sun appears as a brilliant ring if you are inside the path of annular solar eclipse. This is an otherworldly sight often called a “ring of fire”, but you must use eclipse glasses, solar filters, or other safe viewing method during all stages of eclipse.

This eclipse will be an appetizer for the spectacle of a total solar eclipse crossing the United States just 177 days later on April 8, 2024. While not as dramatic as a total solar eclipse, an annular solar eclipse promises a spectacular vision featuring the striking sight of the Sun as a ring.