Solar Eclipse Resources

On October 14, 2023 an annular solar eclipse will cross North, Central, and South America. Unfortunately, Hampton Roads is not in the path of annularity. An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth while at its farthest point from Earth. Because the Moon is farther away from Earth, it does not completely block the Sun. This will create a “ring of fire” effect in the sky for those in the path of annularity. The eclipse will begin at 12:01 p.m. and be at is maximum at 1:22 p.m. See the diagram below for what we are expected to be able to see.

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North and Central America creating a path of totality. During a total solar eclipse, the Moon completely blocks the Sun while it passes between the Sun and Earth. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk and those standing in the path of totality may see the Sun’s outer atmosphere (the corona) if weather permits.

Information from: NASA (https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/5073)

Eye Safety for Solar Eclipses

The Sun is never completely blocked by the Moon during an annular solar eclipse so it is NEVER safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection (with the ISO 12312-2 international standard).
Carefully inspect your eclipse glasses or handheld viewer to make sure it is not scratched or torn. Torn, scratched, or damaged glasses/viewers should be thrown away.

NEVER look at the Sun through a camera, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device unless it has a correctly secured special-purpose solar filter.
Solar eclipses can be enjoyed using an indirect viewing method such as a pinhole projector that projects an image of the Sun onto a nearby surface. With the Sun at your back, you can safely view the projected image. Do NOT look at the Sun through the pinhole.

(adapted from https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/eclipses/2023/oct-14-annular/safety/)

2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipses: Map and Data

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