Catch this weekend’s annular eclipse: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher

An annular eclipse leaves a hoop of daylight across the perimeter of the Moon’s disk. Credit score: Les Porter

This Saturday, a shocking astronomical sight will go to the Americas — an annular eclipse, during which the Moon crosses in entrance of the Solar and leaves a “ring of fireside” round it.

The trail of annularity sweeps from the Pacific Northwest via the American Southwest to components of Mexico and South America, ending over northeastern Brazil. Within the U.S., most eclipse chasers will head to New Mexico and Texas. The 2 largest cities to expertise annularity are there — Albuquerque and San Antonio. That finish of the trail may also expertise longer annularity and has a greater likelihood of clear skies.

An annular eclipse happens when the Moon occurs to be too removed from the Earth to dam out the Solar’s full disk. As a result of the Solar’s disk isn’t totally eclipsed, you should view this occasion with an accepted solar filter always!

As gorgeous as an annular is, it’s additionally an appetizer for subsequent 12 months’s Nice North American Eclipse — a total eclipse on April 8, 2024, that may sweep throughout Mexico, the U.S., and Canada.

For extra on the right way to see this weekend’s annular eclipse, click here to check out our viewing guide.