‘Ring of Fire’ Eclipse Coming!

(Scypre.com) – This weekend, Americans have the chance to witness a rare solar event. National Geographic editor and space expert Allie Yang informed the news via email that an annular solar eclipse, also known as a “ring of fire” eclipse, is expected on Saturday in the U.S., as well as in Central and South America.

The path of this annular solar eclipse, characterized by a ring-like appearance, will traverse several Western states, including Oregon, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Texas, and portions of California, Idaho, Colorado, and Arizona. However, while everyone in the contiguous U.S. will experience a partial eclipse, the full “ring of fire” effect will be limited to specific regions, as Yang clarified.

This celestial phenomenon occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun, appearing slightly smaller and resulting in a ring-shaped sliver of sun for those fortunate enough to be at the right location at the right time, as explained by the expert.

Although annular eclipses like this one are not extremely rare, Yang highlighted the rarity of the eclipse’s path crossing the U.S. The last “ring of fire” eclipse visible in the U.S. was observed in 2012. Yang also emphasized the importance of eye protection during eclipses, cautioning that even a small portion of the sun visible during this year’s eclipse could cause irreversible damage to the eyes within seconds.

Following this weekend’s event, the “ring of fire” eclipse will not be visible again until 2039. Yang strongly advised the use of ISO-certified eclipse glasses or indirect viewing methods, such as pinhole projection, to safely observe the sun.

Moreover, Yang noted that eclipses offer more than just a visual spectacle; they provide a comprehensive multisensory experience. Beyond the visual changes, eclipses affect the environment, influencing aspects such as the behavior of nocturnal animals and temperature variations. Yang also mentioned how radio enthusiasts pay attention to alterations in radio frequencies due to the eclipse’s impact on the ionosphere, which plays a crucial role in radio and GPS signal transmission.

From a scientific perspective, Yang detailed plans for researchers to launch rockets and balloons before, during, and after the eclipse to measure changes in temperature, pressure, and ionization. The data collected from this eclipse will contribute to research planned for the total eclipse on April 8, 2024.