An annular solar eclipse will come to the southwestern United States on October 14, 2023.
If you want to enjoy the Ring of Fire as long as possible during the October solar eclipse, head to the middle line of the eclipse path.
However, if you want to see something else that is equally rare, going to the center line might be a mistake.
On the actual day of the eclipse, it may make sense to position yourself on either the southern or northern edge of the annular path, where the “ring of fire” is only a passing sight, if it exists at all.
Related: How to watch ‘Ring of Fire’ on October 14 in person and online
Billy Beads and the Broken Ring
Stop at the northern or southern border of the path through the loop Solar eclipse You don’t see a “ring of fire” but rather an edge the moon It seems to be touching an edge the sun – Just as you would during a total solar eclipse.
Essentially, you see a “broken ring” as Bailey’s beads — sunlight streaming through the gaps between mountains on the Moon — move around the lunar limb from side to side over the course of a few minutes.
You still have to wear solar eclipse glasses, or use binoculars and telescopes with solar filters attached at all times during an annular solar eclipse, but the fizz of Bailey’s beads can be a fascinating sight.
“I saw Bailey’s beads for a few seconds near the centerline of the 2012 annular ring through a solar-filtered telescope, and that was the best aspect of this eclipse for me,” said Michael Zeller, a solar eclipse mapper at the University of California. GreatAmericanEclipse.com“He told Space.com. “Next October, I expect the beads will last for a minute or two, and it will be an amazing sight,” Zeller continued.
The illusion of spinning on the edge
There’s another reason to stand at the edge of the path during any solar eclipse. “The edge effect is actually a thing because of the optical illusion it causes,” said Mike Kentrianakis, a famous eclipse chaser His viral video It was recorded aboard Alaska Airlines Solar Eclipse Flight 870 in 2016, according to Space.com.
“When the moon crosses the sun, it seems like a natural progression until it reaches the maximum of the eclipse, and suddenly it seems to stop and turn around,” Kentrianakis said. “The eclipse seems to stop and go in the other direction.” !
This rotation illusion is a trick your mind is playing on you because it lacks reference points to properly position the arcs of sunlight as it moves around the edge of the moon while the two celestial bodies move independently. “It turned me on when I saw it in 2017, it’s mind-boggling,” Kentrianakis continued. This rotation illusion occurs at the southern and northern boundaries of the track.
Related: October’s fiery solar eclipse: top tips for planning your trip
“grazing area”
Accuracy is everything when viewing an eclipse, but especially when chasing “edge effects” because eclipse maps don’t actually show where they can be experienced. This interactive map French eclipse expert Xavier Jubier shows a classic eclipse path, but for any location you click on, the pop-up window gives you two periods, one labeled “Lunar limb corrected.”
In recent years, our knowledge of the Moon’s side shape has increased dramatically, thanks in large part to NASA’s efforts. Lunar reconnaissance vehicle (LRO). This new data allows the shadow of the Moon’s mountains and valleys to be mapped onto the Earth’s surface, creating a jagged edge of the path called the “grazing area.” The prize of Billy’s beads – and the sight of the not-quite-finished ‘broken’ ring – can only be seen in this ‘grazing area’.
“This is the area between the classical boundary line and the actual boundary line, and it’s only about three miles wide,” said Zeller, whose new maps reveal some locations during the Oct. 14 annular solar eclipse where “edge effects” will appear. be seen.
If you’ve seen a “ring of fire” before and want to see something different, here are seven places you can consider for an annular solar eclipse to see the “edge effects”:
1. Siletz Bay, Oregon
The Oregon coast doesn’t have the best chance for clear skies (there… 63% chance of withdrawalaccording to Timeanddate.com), but there are other reasons to be on this stretch around Siletz Bay.
The two ideal places to be in the grazing area to get edge effects are Salishan Beach and Head of Alder Island Natural Off Oregon Coast Highway 101. The latter is between Pelican Brewing On the classic northern border and Beach Crest Brewing On the lunar limb is the northern limit correction. Maximum eclipse will occur at 17 degrees over some hills to the southeast at 9:18 a.m. PT on October 14, 2023.
2. Grants Pass, Oregon
Located in the Rogue Valley (population: 40,000), this community is one of the few towns located on the edge of the trail, on Interstate 5 along the Rogue River.
There are a lot of hotels and accommodation options here and The probability of clouds appearing is 40%. per day, according to Timeanddate.com. Anywhere north of Interstate 5 in the city’s northern suburbs would be ideal for edge effects. The maximum eclipse will occur at 19 degrees above Lighthouse hill To the southeast at 9:18 a.m. PDT on October 14.
3. Lava Butte Observatory, Oregon
To see a broken ring over another landscape of volcanic hills, consider heading to the 500-foot (150-meter) ash cone. Off Interstate 80, the hill is accessible via a timed ticket because only about 10 vehicles ($5 per vehicle per day) can be parked in the parking lot at the edge of the cone, around which it is a short walk.
Although the panoramic view is the attraction (with the Three Sisters, Mount Jefferson and Mount Hood to the north), Lava Lands Visitor Center‘s Molten earth trail The bottom of the hill itself would also make a good viewing area. It is located just 13 miles (21 kilometers) south of the beer drinker’s paradise Bend, Oregon.
there The probability of clouds appearing is 45%. Here today, according to Timeanddate.com. Maximum eclipse will occur at 19 degrees, over a scattered area in the southeast at 9:19 a.m. PST on October 14.
Related: What is the difference between a total solar eclipse and an annular solar eclipse?
4. Mancos State Park, Colorado
Here’s a great alternative to crowded places Mesa Verde National Park. Only 14 miles (22.5 km) away, Mancos State Park In southwestern Colorado, off the San Juan Skyway, it’s surrounded by the San Juan Mountains, but the peaks won’t get in the way of the eclipse.
Aside from its southwestern portion, the reservoir is located in a “grazing area,” with the park’s West Campground area and ideal sites nearby. If you love fishing, camping and Billy Beads, you are in the right place to have fun.
As a bonus, it’s just there The probability of clouds appearing is 30%. Here today, according to Timeanddate.com. The maximum eclipse will occur at 33 degrees above the southeastern horizon at 10:33 a.m. CST on October 14.
5. Bandera Crater, New Mexico
The Land of Fire and Ice is located in New Mexico, south of Grants Bandera Crater, another cinder cone in the loop’s path within a volcanic field located on the Continental Divide. However, from the top of the self-guided trail, there is a great view of the ‘pothole chain’ – a line of cinder cones – but to see the Bailey beads and the broken ring, you need to be facing directly east. Ice cave road. It’s all part of El Malbes National Monument.
there is only The probability of clouds appearing is 25%. Here today, according to Timeanddate.com. Maximum eclipse will occur at 35 degrees to the southeast at 10:35 a.m. local time on October 14.
Related: 10 impact craters you should see
6. Elto, New Mexico
Just a few miles north of Ruidoso, New Mexico Lincoln National Forest Alto is a mountain getaway town where chalets, cabins and holiday rentals abound.
At an altitude of only 7,550 feet (2,300 metres). The probability of clouds appearing is 29%. Here in the day, according to Timeanddate.com, can be an excellent place for edge effects.
A great place to put yourself would be Alto Lake and Recreation Area Right off Billy the Kid Scenic Byway And right on the southern edge of the grazing area. The maximum eclipse will occur at 38 degrees over the mountains to the southeast, at 10:39 a.m. EDT on October 14.
7. New Braunfels, Texas
Those after some side effects on a quick flight in or out could consider staying in San Antonio and traveling north or staying in Austin and traveling south.
Either way, it may be a good destination New Braunfelswhich includes a group of department stores at the intersection of Interstate 35 and Interstate 46 – such as New Braunfels Home Depot – Ideal for surveillance from a large parking lot.
there The probability of clouds appearing is 59%. Here today, according to Timeanddate.com. Maximum eclipse will occur at 47 degrees above the flat southeastern horizon at 11:54 a.m. CST on October 14.