The Best Way to Watch the Ring of Fire Solar Eclipse on Saturday
On Saturday, October 14th there will be a solar eclipse. A “Ring of Fire Solar Eclipse”, and if the weather doesn’t put a literal damper on it, we just might be able to see it.
This Saturday, the moon will line up between the earth and the sun, and it will will block out everything except the outer-edge “ring” of the sun. It will look very cool, and very much live up to its nickname, “Ring of Fire”. According to the Associated Press, it’s called an annular solar eclipse, and the effect will be visible from 3- 5 minutes or so, depending on where you’re watching.
The “Ring of Fire” Eclipse is very rare too, so take a look this weekend if you can. The next time we’ll be able to see a ring of fire in this country will be in 2039, and only in Alaska. And the next time we’ll be able to see it from here in the rest of the states won’t be until 2046. 23 more years! The next total eclipse (without that ring) is this spring, on April 8th, 2024.
How To See It (Safely)
For Saturday in our area, the weather is supposed to be pretty rainy. Less than ideal eclipse viewing weather, so clouds may block our view. Assuming that we can see it though, you’ll want to protect your eyes. As with all solar eclipses, never look directly at it. Wear solar eclipse glasses if you have them, or make one of those cardboard/cereal box pinhole projectors. There are lots of articles online on how to make them. HERE‘s one.
You can also go see the eclipse with the pros.
The Franklin Institute is having a Solar Eclipse Gathering
The “Solar Eclipse Gathering” is a sort of viewing party at the Franklin Institute on Saturday. They’ll have a DJ, and the Chief Astronomer at the Franklin Institute, Derrick Pitts will be there. He’s basically the Neil deGrasse Tyson of Philly. A total space genius.
Next Saturday, Oct 14, join Chief Astronomer Derrick Pitts @coolastronomer for a viewing of the partial solar eclipse 🌑 🔭 outdoors, weather permitting! 🌧️😎✨ https://t.co/RkbFsrOZtW #eclipse pic.twitter.com/ClCYbi8wMp
— The Franklin Institute (@TheFranklin) October 7, 2023
Stream The Ring Of Fire Solar Eclipse From Anywhere
If you don’t have the glasses, or pin projector, or feel like venturing over to the Franklin Institute, NASA and a bunch of other science sites will be live streaming the eclipse for all to see from anywhere. Here’s a link to NASA’s stream.
And while we’re talking about the Franklin Institute – and space, the Franklin Institute has two big new exhibits coming soon. On November 4th they are launching an $8.5 million, 7,500 square-foot exhibit called Wondrous Space. It’s described as “an immersive, future-focused two-story exhibit on space exploration” that will “transport visitors to space, allowing them to travel immeasurable distances across the universe, and witness awe-inspiring space phenomena”.
Wondrous Space will be a big part of the Franklin Institute’s 200th Anniversary celebration next year. Also in 2024, the Franklin Institute is bringing back “The Art of the Brick: The World’s Largest Display of LEGO® Art”. The Art of the Brick will open in February and feature over 100 works of art made from millions of LEGO® bricks. It will have a Philadelphia-exclusive creation and include a 9,000 square-foot brick play space.
They’re also having a membership special that ends October 27th and will include both exhibits.
Get your membership now—pays off in 2 visits! FREE entry to Franklin Fright🎃 👻, 🪐Wondrous Space opening 11/4🚀 + discounted Art of the Brick! Use code MBSCT23 for 2 extra months free. Ends 10/27. https://t.co/x9PoeMi5I5 #FranklinInstitute Cannot combine with other offers. pic.twitter.com/lA2H99Pht8
— The Franklin Institute (@TheFranklin) October 11, 2023
