JACKSON, Wyo. — This weekend’s annular solar eclipse might shine over Jackson this weekend, should weather conditions cooperate.
On Saturday, Oct. 14, the moon will pass between the Earth and the sun. At this point in its elliptical orbit, the moon will be near apogee, its farthest distance from the Earth. This will create an annular eclipse, which will result in a sort of “ring of fire” effect for viewers in the eclipse’s direct path.
From Jackson, which lies north of the eclipse’s path, viewers might see about 70% of the eclipse, which would look like roughly two-thirds of the solar disk being covered by the moon.
Samuel Singer, founder of Wyoming Stargazing, told Buckrail the event would be worth checking out.
“A partial solar eclipse is cool,” he said. “It’s worth taking 10 minutes out of your day to look at it.”
The eclipse will begin around 9 a.m., peak around 10:30 a.m. and end around noon. Its path of totality will first be visible in North America over Oregon, and it will travel south over Nevada and the Four Corner states before shining over Texas. Next it will be seen from Central and South America before ending over the Atlantic Ocean, around sunset.
Viewers will need to observe the eclipse indirectly, through eclipse glasses or homemade viewing boxes. Welders glass could also work. Do not look directly at the eclipse.
