An Annular Solar Eclipse set to occur this coming Saturday
This coming Saturday, the world is set to witness an awe-inspiring celestial event – an annular solar eclipse. The spectacle will be most visible from the United States, Mexico, and South America. An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon, observed from the Earth, is slightly smaller than the sun, thus failing to completely obscure it. This leaves a ‘ring of fire’ visible around the moon.
The Frequency of Annular Solar Eclipses
An annular solar eclipse typically occurs approximately once a year. The last few instances were observed on June 10th, 2021, June 21st, 2020, and December 26th, 2019.
The Spectacular Space Photograph of the Week
Providing a glimpse of this celestial event, the space photograph of the week, taken by Stefan Seip, showcases the sun’s appearance through a telescope at the peak phase of the eclipse. This image highlights the use of a special filter to reveal small solar bursts around the sun’s disk. If you wish to experience the eclipse firsthand, it’s recommended to use solar viewing glasses.
Why an Annular and not Total Solar Eclipse?
The type of solar eclipse mainly depends on the distance from Earth to the moon. On average, the sun is 400 times farther from the Earth than the moon, making our natural satellite and the sun appear roughly the same size from the Earth’s surface. This distance varies and on October 14th, the moon is farther than average, almost 400,000 kilometers away, causing it to appear slightly smaller.
Where to See the Annular Solar Eclipse?
For those hoping to witness the annular solar eclipse firsthand, it might be a good idea to book a trip to the United States. The eclipse will be clearly visible in major cities like San Antonio and Albuquerque. However, waiting a year could prove to be more rewarding. In 2024, a total solar eclipse is expected to occur, which is usually a more spectacular event, particularly because the corona (the sun’s atmosphere) becomes visible during the total eclipse.
When is the Next Total Solar Elipse in Europe?
Unfortunately, people living in Europe may not live to see this event up close since the next forecasted total solar eclipse isn’t until 2135. However, there’s some consolation in the fact that a total solar eclipse will be visible in northern Spain on August 12th, 2026, which might make for an interesting summer vacation destination.
