Eclipses

What is an annular eclipse?

An annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, but while the Moon is at its farthest point from Earth. Because the Moon is farther away from Earth, it appears smaller and does not block the entire face of the Sun. As a result, the Moon appears like a dark disk on top of a larger, bright disk. This creates what looks like a ring around the Moon, leading some to call it a “ring of fire” eclipse.

Where will it happen?

The annular eclipse will begin in the United States, traveling from the coast of Oregon to the Texas Gulf Coast. Weather permitting, the annular eclipse will be visible in Oregon, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas, as well as some parts of California, Idaho, Colorado, and Arizona.

The annular eclipse will continue on to Central America, passing over Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and Panama. In South America, the eclipse will travel through Colombia before ending off the coast of Natal, Brazil, in the Atlantic Ocean.

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  Image credit: ©2021 Great American Eclipse, LLC, Used with Permission.
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  Over Central America, the path of the annular solar eclipse will cross from Mexico to Panama. Image credit: ©2021 Great American Eclipse, LLC, Used with Permission.
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  The annular solar eclipse will also cross South America, from Colombia to Brazil. Image credit: ©2021 Great American Eclipse, LLC, Used with Permission.

Many people who aren’t directly in the eclipse’s path will still be able to experience a partial eclipse. A partial eclipse happens when the Sun, the Moon and Earth are not exactly lined up and the Moon covers only part of the Sun’s surface. During a total or annular solar eclipse, people outside the Moon’s inner shadow see a partial solar eclipse. People can use pinhole projectors, eclipse glasses, and other methods to watch the partial eclipse.

All of the continental United States will be able to see at least a partial eclipse, weather permitting. Additionally, all of Canada, most of Alaska, large portions of South America, and small parts of Greenland and western Africa will also experience the partial eclipse.

When will it happen?

This table provides the time that the eclipse begins in a city in each state in the United States in the path of the annular eclipse. These areas will also experience a partial eclipse before and after these times.

How can I watch?

It is never safe to look directly at the Sun. When watching an annular or partial eclipse, viewers must use a safe method to avoid eye damage. This can include eclipse glasses or an alternative method such as a pinhole projector. For more information about safely viewing an eclipse, please visit the eclipse safety page.