For those who witnessed the total eclipse of the Sun in 2017, the fact that another eclipse – and this one not entirely total – is coming might feel less than noteworthy. But even though the galaxy’s upcoming show isn’t quite as stunning as the last one doesn’t make it any less worthwhile.
On the morning of Oct. 14, the Moon will pass between the Earth and Sun and create what is known as an “annular eclipse,” at least part of which will be visible in all 48 contiguous United States as well as Alaska. Since the Moon doesn’t completely cover the Sun and instead creates a “ring of fire,” it’s termed an “annular” eclipse. The word “annulus” comes from Latin and means “little ring.”
According to National Aeronautics and Space Administration, this is the last annular eclipse that will be visible from the U.S. until 2039 – though a total solar eclipse will happen on April 8, 2024, and cross Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. (For us in Central Oregon, the 2024 eclipse will only be partial. You’ll have to go to Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Indiana, Ohio or other parts east to see that one in 2024.)
Some things to know about the 2023 Eclipse:
2023 Eclipse Time: Oct. 14, 2023, from roughly 8am to 9am. “Annularity” right after 9am.
Where it’s visible: Oregon Coast from Langlois to Gleneden Beach, as well as Albany, Eugene, Springfield, Crater Lake National Park, Roseburg, Medford and Lakeview.
Will it be visible in Bend? Yes, but not entirely. The path of totality begins between Bend and La Pine and stretches in a band to parts south.
What you’ll need: A sense of wonder, and eclipse glasses or a pinhole projector. It’s not safe to watch the eclipse without eye protection. Get some at the OMSI Science Store, online or at a local retailer.
Times and durations of local viewing spots:
City / Annularity / Start Duration*
Paisley / 9:18:19 AM / PDT 4:33
La Pine / 9:18:21 AM / PDT 3:12
Fort Rock / 9:18:24 AM / PDT 3:42
Lakeview / 9:18:27 AM / PDT 4:32
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To prep for this month’s eclipse, we chatted with astronomy lecturer Scott Fisher, who works at the University of Oregon and is an academic expert in space, NASA and all things astronomy. One of his strengths is making science and STEM accessible to non-scientists.
Source Weekly: What type of eclipse are we going to see?
Scott Fisher: There’s a couple of different types of eclipses. And this one is actually going to be a solar eclipse. So, this happens when the moon goes right in between the Earth and the Sun. You might remember back in 2017, we had a total solar eclipse, and that is when the moon covers the entire disk of the Sun. This one is a slightly different type of an eclipse called an annular eclipse. And in this case, the moon is going to go right in between the Earth and the Sun, but the moon is a little bit farther away from Earth in its orbit this time, so it’s not going to cover the entire sun. There’s going to be a beautiful little ring of the sun still visible in the sky, even when the moon is right in front of it.
SW: How often do annular eclipses occur?
SF: They’re not super rare. On average, there’s one annular eclipse per year, somewhere on the Earth’s surface. So, this year, we just happened to get lucky and it’s coming right through Oregon. [Total solar eclipses] are slightly more rare. As a matter of fact, I think it’s about once every year and a half to two years, there’s a total solar eclipse somewhere on Earth.
SW: Are there other types of eclipses?
SF: No, not too many. You’ve got the “totals,” which I think everybody would consider the most spectacular of all, when the moon has completely covered the sun. There’s another type of eclipse called a partial eclipse, and that’s where the moon partially covers the sun. And even for this one coming up in a couple of weeks, if you’re up in Salem or up in Portland, you won’t get to see that ring, but you’ll still get to see more than half of the Sun covered up by the moon which is still pretty darn cool.
SW: When can we see the eclipse?
SF: The quirky thing is, we got pretty lucky back in 2017. It was the middle of the day and, you know, the middle of the summer and everything was just gorgeous. Now, it’s October and the thing is first thing in the morning. As a matter of fact, the first nibble of the Sun is going to be taking a bite at about 8:05am and the ring of fire starts about 9:15am.
SW: Where should people go to have the best view?
SF: In 2017, there was that little path. If you wanted to see totality, you had to be in the path. This one has a something called a path of annularity. And so again, you’ve got to be somewhere between kind of Corvallis in the north and Roseburg in the south, if you want to see that full annulus. You’ve got to be within that zone, and it goes just south of Bend.
You want to be somewhere that you have a nice, clear view of the eastern horizon. Also, somewhere where we can hope it’s not real cloudy, so I wouldn’t go to the coast, for example.
I think Central Oregon is actually going to be a great place. I think an awesome place to be, I don’t want to totally overwhelm it, is the top of Pilot Butte. If you can get up a little bit high, where you can see a nice, beautiful, clear Eastern horizon, it’s definitely where you want to be on the morning.
SW: How can people safely look at the eclipse?
SF: This is an eclipse where you want to wear your eclipse glasses, just like back in 2017. The sun is too bright for our personal little telescopes. And so, let’s protect our eyes. And in this case, it’s an eclipse where you want to keep your glasses on the whole time. So even when you’re looking at the Ring of Fire, please keep your glasses on to protect your eyes. Start to finish.
I encourage folks to go out and take a peek up. It’s something that’s pretty rare. Even if you don’t get to see the whole Ring of Fire, it’s still pretty neat to see 60% or 70% of the sun covered up by the moon.
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As the celestial stage prepares for its grand performance, Central Oregon is turning its gaze skyward in anticipation of a breathtaking celestial event. The upcoming solar eclipse, set to cast its shadow across the planet, has ignited a frenzy of excitement. From astronomers and stargazers to seasoned eclipse chasers, all eyes are now on the sky as communities around the world gear up for the rare spectacle that promises to unite both science enthusiasts and nature lovers. Here are some events throughout Central Oregon that are sure to captivate the imagination in the coming days.
Eclipse Fest 2023
A multi-day immersive festival that promises a blend of music, culture and outdoor adventure! Nestled in the heart of nature, participants have the opportunity to camp under the starry sky, forging connections with fellow festival goers. The event includes a vibrant marketplace where talented vendors and artisans showcase their unique creations, from handcrafted jewelry to one-of-a-kind art pieces. The grand finale is a headline concert featuring the iconic Smash Mouth.
Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory Eclipse Viewing
From 8:30-10:30am on Oct. 14, the Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory offers a captivating journey into the heart of the solar system as it delves into the mysteries of the sun before the spectacular solar eclipse. During this celestial event, the apparent size of the moon will appear smaller than that of the sun, creating a mesmerizing cosmic alignment. It’s essential to note that observing the sun during this eclipse without specialized equipment or eclipse glasses is not safe. However, rest assured, as the observatory is fully prepared to provide eclipse glasses to all attendees. Multiple telescopes are equipped with a range of solar filters, ensuring a delightful and secure eclipse viewing experience for everyone.
Beery House Eclipse Campout
With camping and a potluck feast, attendees to this event contribute their culinary masterpieces to create a communal banquet on the eve of the eclipse. It’s a celebration of food, friendship and the joy of communal dining. This festival offers a lineup of live music that will have attendees grooving under the starry heavens.
Star Party at and Eclipse into Nature at Running Y Resort
On Oct. 13, Running Y Resort presents “Star Party,” featuring guest speakers delivering presentations in their respective fields. Dive into the mysteries of the cosmos through interactive viewing exercises and savor a delectable dinner. On Oct. 14, the gates open at 6 am for the main viewing event! The Running Y Resort invites eclipse watchers of all ages to spend the day enjoying amazing food, live music and Oregon Institute of Technology presentations that are sure to engage. Enjoy delectable food, live music, vendors and more. Lodge rentals and vacation guests with existing reservations on Oct. 13-14 will be provided with parking passes upon check-in!
This article appears in Source Weekly October 5, 2023.
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