Millions if Americans are awaiting Saturday’s “ring of fire” eclipse of the sun.
The annular solar eclipse — better known as a ring of fire — will briefly dim the skies over parts of the western U.S. and Central and South America.
As the moon lines up between Earth and the sun, it will blot out all but the sun’s outer rim. A blazing border will appear around the moon for as much as five minutes, wowing skygazers along a narrow path stretching from Oregon to Brazil.
What time does the solar eclipse happen?
The annular solar eclipse begins at 11:13 a.m. (12:13 p.m. ET) and pass from Oregon to the Gulf Coast, appearing in Nevada, Utah and New Mexico. The event will also be visible in parts of California, Idaho, Colorado and Arizona. It will end in the U.S. at 12:03 p.m. CT (1:03 p.m. ET).
Where to see the eclipse?
The eclipse also will cross Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Panama and Colombia before ending off South America’s Atlantic coast at Natal, Brazil.
It’s a prelude to the total solar eclipse that will sweep across Mexico, the eastern half of the U.S. and Canada, in six months.
What is an eclipse?
An eclipse takes place when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, but the moon is at the furthest point away from Earth in its orbit. According to NASA, when the moon is further away, it doesn’t completely cover the sun, creating the “ring of fire.”
Forty-eight states will be able to view part of the eclipse.
Can I look directly at an eclipse?
The short answer is no.
According to NASA, it is never safe to at the sun during an annular eclipse without special eye protection. Doing so, the agency said, could permanently damage your eyes.
Do sunglasses work to watch an eclipse?
Again, the answer is no, per NASA.
Sunglasses are not eclipse glasses.
“Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker and ought to comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard,” the space agency shares.
To watch an annular solar eclipse, you need approved solar viewing glasses (AKA eclipse glasses) or a solar viewer.
Where can I get eclipse glasses?
The American Astronomical Society has a list of approved solar-eclipse glasses suppliers.
ISO-approved glasses must meet the following requirements, per space.com,
- No more than 0.00032 percent of sunlight may be transmitted through filters.
- Filters can’t have scratches, bubbles or dents.
- Handheld viewers must cover both eyes
- Product must be labeled with manufacturer name, safe-use instructions and proper danger warnings.
Can I use a camera, binoculars or telescope?
The answer, once again, is no.
“The concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury,” NASA said.
In fact, you can’t even use a camera, telescope, binoculars even if you are wearing eclipse glasses or using a solar viewer.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.