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2023 Annular Solar Eclipse

Witness the ”ring of fire”

On October 14, 2023, an annular solar eclipse will cross North, Central, and South America. This eclipse will be visible for millions of people in the Western Hemisphere. (Photo: NASA/Bill Dunford)

2023 Annular Solar Eclipse

On Saturday, October 14, 2023, an annular solar eclipse will cross North, Central, and South America. Visible in parts of the United States, Mexico, and many countries in South and Central America, millions of people in the Western Hemisphere can experience this eclipse.

2023 Annular Solar Eclipse

What to Expect

An annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth while it is at its farthest point from Earth. Because the Moon is farther away from Earth, it appears smaller than the Sun and does not completely cover the star. This creates a “ring of fire” effect in the sky.

Learn More at NASA.gov

Where & When

On Saturday, October 14, 2023, the annular eclipse will begin in the United States, traveling from the coast of Oregon to the Texas Gulf Coast. Weather permitting, the annular eclipse will be visible in Oregon, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas, as well as some parts of California, Idaho, Colorado, and Arizona. Prime viewing of the annular eclipse in Reno, Nevada will occur at approximately 9:21am.

NASA Eclipse Explorer

Eclipse Safety

During an annular solar eclipse, the Sun is never completely blocked by the Moon. Therefore, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection designed for solar viewing such as eclipse viewing glasses or a handheld solar viewer. A variety of eclipse viewing glasses are available for purchase in The Discovery’s Museum Store.

Museum Store Details

2023 Annular Eclipse Viewing Event

View the 2023 annular solar eclipse from The Discovery and take part in a variety of eclipse related activities designed to make the most of this unique event.