A dazzling solar eclipse is coming this October, and skygazers in western Oregon—particularly those closer to California—are expected to get the best show. On Oct. 14, the new Moon will pass in front of the Sun at approximately 9:16 a.m., creating a hoop of light often called the “ring of fire.”
Although most of North, Central, and South America can see some of the eclipse, certain regions will get a partial eclipse, with anywhere from 35% to 60% of the Sun being covered by the Moon. The most captivating view comes from an annular eclipse, during which the Moon passes in front of the Sun at its farthest point from Earth. The result is near-total (85%) coverage of the Sun, which creates that stunning ring effect.
The annular eclipse will be seen in western Oregon, northern Nevada, southwestern Utah, central New Mexico, and southwestern Texas. The most northeastern corner of California will get a glimpse as well. According to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), the view will be best in southwestern Oregon, where the new Moon is expected to cover 89% of the Sun. The triangle formed between Eugene, Klamath Falls, and Oregon’s coast will catch annularity between 9:16 a.m. and 9:20 a.m., with a 9:18 a.m. peak.
Even with most of the Sun covered, an annular eclipse isn’t safe to look at directly. NASA is warning skygazers to prepare for the eclipse by acquiring proper eyewear. While safe solar viewers that comply with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 12312-2 international standard offer the most protection, the indirect viewing method will work in a pinch. NASA recommends using a pinhole projector or even a colander to view the crescent shapes created by an eclipse without looking at the Sun directly.
This interactive map lets you determine the best time to view October’s annular eclipse in your region.
