'Ring of fire' eclipse: What to know about the rare phenomenon headed to the US
A rare "ring of fire" eclipse will be visible in some part of the U.S. on Oct. 14. National Geographic editor Allie Yang explained what makes it so special — and what people can expect.
Americans may be able to catch a rare solar sighting this weekend.
A "ring of fire" eclipse is expected to occur on Oct. 14 in the U.S. as well as in Central and South America, as National Geographic editor and space expert Allie Yang told Fox News Digital in an email.
The annular solar eclipse — a ring of fire — will go through western states including Oregon, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Texas and some parts of California, Idaho, Colorado and Arizona.
BLACK HOLES EXPLAINED: WHY THEY'RE SOME OF THE STRANGEST OBJECTS IN SPACE
Everyone in the contiguous United States will get a partial eclipse without the full "ring of fire" effect, according to Yang.
This eclipse occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun and appears slightly smaller, creating a "sliver of sun in the shape of a ring" for those who are in the right place at the right time, the expert said.
Although annular eclipses like this one aren’t actually that rare, Yang said it is uncommon for the eclipse path to cross the U.S.
The last "ring of fire" eclipse was seen in the U.S. in 2012.
After this weekend, the phenomenon won’t be visible again until 2039.
RING OF FIRE ECLIPSE WILL CROSS THE WESTERN US THIS OCTOBER: WHAT TO KNOW
Eye protection is critical for viewing eclipses, even though it may seem counterintuitive, Yang said.
"You’d think that with some of the sun blocked by the moon, it might be safer to look at — but the opposite is true," she warned.
"Even a sliver of sun, as we’ll see in this year’s eclipse, will scorch your eyes, especially because your pupils are dilated in the relative darkness," she said.
"Irreversible damage can happen in seconds."
The expert recommended buying ISO-certified eclipse glasses or using an indirect viewing method, like pinhole projection, to safely look at the sun.
Eclipses aren’t all about what you can see, Yang pointed out.
MOONBATHING MAY DELIVER ENERGY, INSPIRATION AND OVERALL WELL-BEING, ASTROLOGER SAYS
They present the opportunity for a "totally multisensory experience."
She said, "If you’re outside, you might hear nighttime animals come out. You may feel the coolness of the sun being blocked, and its warmth returning as the moon passes the sun."
Radio hobbyists also listen to changes in radio frequencies due to the eclipse's impact on our upper atmosphere, the ionosphere, Yang noted.
"This is where radio and GPS signals travel, so both can be affected in an eclipse."
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
In terms of scientific gain, Yang detailed how scientists will launch rockets and balloons before, during and after the eclipse to "measure changes to temperature, pressure and ionization."
"Data gathered from this eclipse will help inform what research is done on April 8, 2024, when there will be a total eclipse," she said.
More on this year's eclipse can be found at natgeo.com.
