Rare solar eclipse to be seen in Chicago Saturday morning, weather permitting

Deanese Williams-Harris, Ilana Arougheti, Chicago Tribune
Updated ·2 min read

Weather officials expect rain to fall the majority of Saturday while some gather to witness a rare solar eclipse called the “ring of fire.”

The partial eclipse will be visible about 10:37 a.m. in Chicago. The eclipse will start at about 9:13 a.m. in Oregon, and was expected to be seen in several states including California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico at various times, according to NASA.

Due to inclement weather, Eclipse Encounter ‘23— Adler Planetarium’s outdoor event was canceled, but the museum will still be open and celebrating eclipses inside, officials said.

The “ring of fire,” more formally known as an annular solar eclipse, happens when the moon is at its farthest point from Earth during an eclipse. The extra distance makes the moon appear smaller, so it doesn’t block out the sun entirely, leaving a margin of blazing sunlight resembling fire all around the moon’s dark shadow.

The annular solar eclipse will cross North, Central and South America, officials said. Millions of people will be able to see a glimpse of the eclipse, but should take precautions to protect their eyesight, officials said.

Because the sun is never completely blocked by the moon during an annular solar eclipse, it is never safe to look at the sun without eye protection for solar viewing, NASA officials said.

Viewing the sun through a camera lens, binoculars or a telescope without a solar filter over the front of the optics will cause severe damage to the eye, according to NASA.

Saturday’s weather will determine how much of the eclipse astronomy lovers and friends will be able to see.

National Weather Service officials said there is a 100% chance of showers Saturday with a high expected of 55 degrees.

Morning conditions at Midway Airport are light rain with mist/fog. At O’Hare International Airport conditions are the same at 55 degrees.

However, all hope is not lost for patient eclipse lovers. Another total solar eclipse will take place on April 8, 2024, expected to pass over Chicago around 2:00 pm, with the moon appearing to cover 94.2% of the sun.