On October 14, 2023, a spectacular annular solar eclipse will be visible across the US, Mexico, Central and South America. If you’re an adventurous traveler who wants to witness this incredible event, then read on for some helpful tips to make the most out of the experience.
Global Map Animation of Eclipse courtesy of Michael Zeiler (GreatAmericanEclipse.com) and Fred Espenak (EclipseWise.com)
Pick Your Location Carefully
The path of annularity crosses from Oregon to Texas in the US, passing over Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula before continuing over Central America and parts of Colombia and Brazil. In addition, a partial eclipse will be visible from Alaska to Argentina. Choose your desired location carefully; some areas may be more accessible than others. Make sure you check out local maps and do your research on transportation options so you can get where you need to go with minimal hassle!
Oregon will be the first to experience the Moon's antumbra, a portion of its shadow that leads to an annular eclipse. This awe-inspiring event will begin at 8:04 am local time as the Moon moves in front of the Sun's disk. The eclipse will first traverse through sections of Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Texas before briefly grazing areas in California, Idaho, Colorado and Arizona. Later on its path it will be brilliant across parts of the Yucatán peninsula in southwestern Mexico as well as Belize, Honduras and Panama. The eclipse's journey continues to central Colombia followed by a large stretch of northern Brazil before concluding over the Atlantic ocean near Natal, Brazil.
Cities where the annular eclipse is visible:
- Eugene, Oregon, USA
- Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
- Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
- San Antonio, Texas, USA
- Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
- Belize City, Belize
- Limón, Costa Rica
Cities where the partial eclipse is visible:
- Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Los Angeles, California, USA
- Mexico City, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Havana, Cuba
- Guatemala City, Guatemala
- Kingston, Jamaica
- San Jose, Costa Rica
- Panama, Panama
- Bogota, Colombia
- Brasilia, Distrito Federal, Brazil
From beginning to end, the eclipse will last about two and a half hours in total (GreatAmericanEclipse.com)
Pack Wisely
No matter where you plan on viewing the eclipse, make sure you bring all the necessary supplies when packing. This includes glasses that are specifically made for watching eclipses and ISO 12312-2 compliant, like HALO Eclipse Spectacles. ISO certified glasses are important as they will protect your eyes during this once-in-a-lifetime experience. You can check with the American Additionally, if you’ll be spending time outdoors during the event, don’t forget sunscreen and other protective gear such as hats or long pants. Finally, make sure you bring a few snacks and drinks so that you stay energized throughout the eclipse!
Be Prepared For Crowds
Given how rare these events are in the US (the last one was back in 2017!), it’s likely that there will be large crowds gathering around popular viewing locations. Make sure that you arrive early enough to secure a spot with a good view before they’re all taken! Additionally, keep in mind that cellphone reception may become spotty due to increased usage—so it could help if you have an alternative form of communication such as a satellite phone or two-way radio handy just in case.
Conclusion:
The October 2023 annular solar eclipse is an amazing opportunity for anyone who enjoys experiencing nature's grandeur up close and personal—and with these simple tips in hand, you can make sure your viewing experience is as enjoyable (and safe!) as possible! From choosing your destination wisely to packing essential items like eclipse glasses and sunscreen ahead of time—you now know exactly what needs to be done in order to make sure that this once-in-a-lifetime event is enjoyed by everyone who participates. So grab your HALO glasses and start planning your route…this remarkable celestial show won't last forever!