The sky show of the year in the United States will be on Saturday, October 14. A solar eclipse will be crossing parts of the country, which will be followed by another six months later in April. This first event will be an annular eclipse compared to the total solar eclipse in April.
In this post, we will explore what causes an eclipse of the sun and the three types. I have photos from recent partial and total eclipses. I also have a local simulation for what could be seen, and links to explore more on your own. At the bottom of the post, there is a link to watch the NASA coverage of the eclipse when it happens. So you can come back here to make sure you have access.
It is important to consider that there is a narrow path of peak coverage or blocking of the sun. Most of us, and especially my home base in the Mid-Atlantic, will see this as a partial eclipse. But as we have seen, there can still be an impressive display.
This report is independent of the weather. I will cover that separately.
ALWAYS have protective eyewear when trying to view an eclipse. Regular sunglasses will NOT do! However, if there is cloud cover and rain where you are, there is no need for concern. You will miss the show and will NOT have any harmful rays to worry about.
This spectacular view was at sunrise in Baltimore during a partial solar eclipse. This was in progress as the sun moved over the horizon with peak coverage of 63.6%
Chris Cook traveled to New Jersey on November 3, 2013 and captured this brief break in the clouds of the partial eclipsed sun rising over Manhattan/New York City. You can see more from Mr. Cook here
I woke my boys up early and fashioned all of us with welder glasses to catch another partial eclipse at sunrise.
I once again got my boys, parents, and my friend Larry with his family. The day after completing our 4th Maryland Trek, we drove to Columbia, South Carolina, to witness the total solar eclipse. Note: Most of us are regrouping for the 2024 event and plotting our locations now.
It really did look like this (with protective eyewear) in person!
This is what the sky looked like in the middle of the afternoon. The best way to describe it was like dawn. While we were in the total shadow, we were viewing the partial sunlight reaching all areas around us.
The simple answer is this: The moon will pass between the Sun and Earth. The eclipse is the shadow on Earth.
This does not happen often based on the orientation, where the shadow would be viewed in space, not on the planet.
When it does, the Umbra produces the complete shadow or total eclipse. Places in the Penumbra get partial blockage of light but also partial sunlight. These areas experience a partial eclipse.
The orbit of the moon is not a circle. It is an ellipse, sometimes closer and appearing larger. Other times, farther away and appearing smaller.
If the moon is farther away and smaller from our perspective, it will not fully block the sun. This is also known as Ring Of Fire.
If the moon is closer, it will block the full solar disk and lead to more darkness.
This side-by-side comparison shows what it would look like to view each.
It is important to note: Annual AND Total Eclipses are in a narrow band as the path of the shadow traverses the surface of Earth.
The partial eclipse is what most areas outside of the main shadow will view on either side.
This weekend will bring an Annual Eclipse to the Western US between Oregon and Texas.
This simulation shows what a clear sky view would present over Baltimore (weather permitting).
Interactive Solar Eclipse Explorer Map
NASA- Interactive 3-D View From Space
The peak coverage will be 28.7%
Click Here: See The Simulation Yourself
LIVE VIDEO Begins October 14
The main event will be on April 8, 2024. A total solar eclipse will cross the United States. While this takes on a different path, places near San Antonio, Texas, will get the opportunity to view both!
X does mark the spot in south-central Texas.
I am aware there are some spelling and grammar typos and occasional other glitches. I take responsibility for my mistakes and even the computer glitches I may miss. I have made a few public statements over the years, but if you are new here, you may have missed it: I have dyslexia and found out during my second year at Cornell University. It didn’t stop me from getting my meteorology degree and being the first to get the AMS CBM in the Baltimore/Washington region. One of my professors told me that I had made it that far without knowing and to not let it be a crutch going forward. That was Mark Wysocki, and he was absolutely correct! I do miss my mistakes in my own proofreading. The autocorrect spell check on my computer sometimes does an injustice to make it worse. I also can make mistakes in forecasting. No one is perfect at predicting the future. All of the maps and information are accurate. The ‘wordy’ stuff can get sticky. There has been no editor who can check my work when I need it and have it ready to send out in a newsworthy timeline. Barbara Werner is a member of the web team that helps me maintain this site. She has taken it upon herself to edit typos when she is available. That could be AFTER you read this. I accept this and perhaps proves what you read is really from me… It’s part of my charm.
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