Rare “Ring Of Fire” Solar Eclipse Happening In October

“And it burns, burns, burns…”

The title of one of Johnny Cash’s most famous songs will come to life in skies around the world next month.

An annular solar eclipse, also known as a "ring of fire" eclipse, is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 14. This rare astronomical treat will be visible along a 125-mile-wide path that cuts through the U.S. from Oregon to Texas. People in the rest of the country will only be able to see a partial eclipse, not the full “ring of fire.”

According to NASA, an annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon is near the part of its orbit that is most distant from Earth. “Because the moon is farther from Earth than it is during a total solar eclipse, the moon doesn't block out the entire sun, instead it leaves a bright ring of sun visible at the peak of the eclipse,” a press release explains.

To see the “ring of fire” effect you must view it from somewhere along the path of annularity which will be visible for a brief period in parts of Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas.

In the U.S., the annular solar eclipse begins in Oregon at 9:13 a.m. PDT and ends in Texas at 12:03 p.m. CDT. Maximum annularity in Texas will occur at 11:52 a.m. in San Antonio; 11:55 a.m in Corpus Christi; and 11:56 a.m at Padre Island National Seashore.

If you're not fortunate enough to see it in person, NASA is offering a free live stream of the eclipse so you can enjoy it from home.

Keep in mind that it is unsafe to look directly at the bright sun without using specialized eye protection. Because the sun is never fully blocked by the moon in an annular solar eclipse, looking directly at it without appropriate eye protection can cause eye injury.

Happy viewing!

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