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The entire eclipse — from the moment the moon starts to obscure the sun until it’s back to normal — will last 2 1/2 to three hours at any given spot.
WASHINGTON — Millions of people across the U.S. will be able to watch a “ring of fire” solar eclipse on Saturday.
The celestial show, known as an annular solar eclipse, will briefly dim the skies and capture the attention of sky gazers along a narrow path between Oregon and Texas.
Saturday’s eclipse is a preview of the total solar eclipse that will sweep across the eastern half of the U.S. in six months.
The last time the U.S. saw a solar eclipse of this kind was in May 2012.
It will be 2039 before another ring of fire is visible in the U.S., and Alaska will be the only state then in the path of totality. And it will be 2046 before another ring of fire crosses into the U.S. Lower 48.
What time is the solar eclipse on Saturday?
For many in the U.S., annularity begins at 9:15 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. in local time zones on Saturday, Oct 14., according to NASA.
The entire eclipse — from the moment the moon starts to obscure the sun until it’s back to normal — will last 2 1/2 to three hours at any given spot.
When the eclipse begins and how long it’ll last depends on where you are in reference to the path of annularity. For some, the “ring of fire” could be as brief as 30 seconds or as long as 5 minutes.
A partial eclipse, the first phase of the annular solar eclipse, began in Eugene, Oregon shortly after 8 a.m. PDT Saturday. From there, it will head downward across Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Texas. Parts of Idaho, Arizona and Colorado will also catch a glimpse at the “ring of fire.”
More than 6.5 million people lived along the path of annularity in the U.S. For a detailed look at the path of annularity and the specific times, visit NASA’s interactive eclipse map.
WATCH LIVE: ‘Ring of fire’ solar eclipse begins its path across the US
Weather also plays a factor in how much of the solar eclipse you’ll be able to see. Although, even with a cloudy day, the daytime darkness that comes with solar eclipses will still be noticeable, NASA said.
If you’re not within the so-called path of annularity, don’t worry as a crescent-shaped partial eclipse will be visible in every U.S. state, although just barely in Hawaii, provided the skies are clear.
With any solar eclipses, it’s important to remember safety measures for your eyes.
Because the sun is never fully covered during an annular eclipse, it’s not safe to directly look at the sun. Eclipse glasses, if you have any on hand, are recommended to protect your eyes.
Cameras — including those on cellphones — binoculars, or telescopes need special solar filters mounted at the front end.
NASA also suggests alternative ways to watch the celestial event and will be livestreaming the eclipse on Saturday.
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