Annular solar eclipse 2023: Top suggestions for planning your trip

Are you organized for the rare annular solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023? 

Although a partial solar eclipse that day can be visible across North, Central and South America, the ‘ring of fireplace’ around the moon will only be observable from a narrow path across Earth’s surface. 

Within the U.S. that path runs through eight states within the U.S. Southwest from Oregon to Texas, based on NASA, but it should pay to get clued-up and arranged well prematurely. 

Here’s every thing you ended to know to go eclipse-chasing within the U.S. Southwest this fall: 

Related: ‘Ring of fireplace’ from US national parks: 7 great places to see the annular solar eclipse 2023 

Prioritize clear skies 

Perhaps you ought to watch the eclipse in a fantastic natural setting, perhaps alone or with family members. Or perhaps you’d fairly be at a guided observing session where telescopes are arrange for a close-up and where scientists are readily available to clarify what is going on on. Either way, at all times prioritize clear skies. 

If it’s cloudy where you’re you will not see a thing. In the event you’re heading for the trail and a view of the ‘ring of fireplace’ then check climatic predictions well ahead of time and make plans accordingly. More importantly, inspect and react to weather predictions a few days before the massive day. Only then do you have to nail down your intended location.

Head to the centerline for the longest ‘ring of fireplace’ 

Reading an eclipse map doesn’t come naturally to anyone so learn the essentials to get the view you wish. On October 14, 2023, the trail of annularity will move from the Oregon coast southwest to Texas. Because it strikes Oregon it should be 137 miles wide, but by the point it leaves Texas it should have narrowed to 118 miles. Although anywhere in North America will get you a partial solar eclipse you need to be inside the orange strip (within the map above) to see a ‘ring of fireplace’. Nonetheless, the closer you’re to the centreline of that path, the longer the ring can be visible for. 

Related: This epic NASA map shows where to see US solar eclipses in 2023 and 2024 

Respect indigenous cultures 

The likes of Monument Valley Tribal Park and Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Arizona might appear to be ideal places to look at the eclipse, but keep in mind that the Navajo culture sees an eclipse as literally the death of the sun. “You would possibly think that everyone desires to jump up and down and scream and be excited and rejoice, but there are cultural sensitivities that we have to be looking for within the U.S. Southwest,” says Cherilynn Morrow from the Southwest Research Institute, and outreach on NASA’s eclipse-themed PUNCH mission. “Some people can be inside fasting and praying.” In Navajo culture, an eclipse is known as jóhonaa’éí daaztsą́ (“the sun is dead”). The sun is alleged to be reborn again because the eclipse ends. It is a sacred event and across the Navajo nation people will stay at home and avert their eyes, pray or meditate. 

Related: The Native American night sky: 7 starry sights to see

Expect crowds and plan accordingly 

About six million people live contained in the path of the annular solar eclipse, almost two-thirds of them in Texas based on GreatAmericanEclipse.com, so expect crowds — particularly in big cities like San Antonio, Texas and Albuquerque, Recent Mexico (each of them in the trail and each considered ‘ground zero’ for this eclipse). 

In the event you’re anywhere near those two cities plan for heavy traffic after the eclipse. In the event you need a solitary experience then stay over at your observing location and/or head to Nevada, Utah, Arizona and Colorado, where the trail of annularity is flippantly populated yet filled with scenic spots. 

Nonetheless, book ahead if you ought to be in a State Park of National Park, with the likes of Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, Great Basin National Park in Nevada, Bryce Canyon National Park and Canyonlands National Park in Utah (all of them also International Dark Sky Parks) and Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park in Arizona sure to be busy. 

Organize a stargazing-themed road-trip 

Why not plan a night sky road trip that takes within the eclipse? The timing is ideal because solar eclipses, by definition, at all times occur at Recent Moon, which can be when night skies are at their darkest. By coincidence, the trail of this eclipse either moves across or is near, quite a lot of International Dark Sky Places. 

There are way too many to go to in a single trip, but just about all the National Parks in Nevada, Utah and Recent Mexico have protected dark skies, as do many State Parks and National Monuments. Just a couple of of the various International Dark Sky Parks in the trail include Capitol Reef National Park and Goosneck State Park in Utah and Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado while near the trail are Yosemite National Park in California, Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, Arches National Park in Utah and Enchanted Rock State Park in Texas. 

Upgrade your solar eclipse glasses 

It is a rare event that happens only from time to time, so get yourself a close-up. Since an annular solar eclipse is, technically speaking, just a very beautiful partial solar eclipse, solar filters are required in any respect times. That doesn’t suggest you’ve to make use of a pair of cardboard solar eclipse glasses. One option is to get a few of American Paper Optics’ Plastic Eclipser HD Glasses, that are sunglasses-style solar filters which are far more hard-wearing and cozy to wear than the cardboard versions. 

Get a close-up 

In the event you need a close-up then buy a pair of binoculars with solar filters built-in to the target lenses. Examples include the Lunt 8×32 SUNoculars and Celestron EclipSmart 10x42mm Porro Solar Binoculars, though the smaller the magnification the better it’s to search out the eclipse within the sky. If a small telescope is preferable, make a choice from a high-end Lunt 60mm solar telescope and something more cost-effective just like the Celestron EclipSmart Travel Solar Scope 50. In the event you’re feeling crafty you may make your personal solar filters for an existing pair of binoculars or any telescope using Thousand Oaks Optical solar filter sheet. 

Related: The right way to observe the sun safely (and what to search for)