Annular Solar Eclipse Provides Stunning Views for Millions of Americans

news image
Special Stories
15 Oct 2023 1:40 AM

What a day for sky watchers across the western United States! Millions of Americans were able to take in the annular solar eclipse on Saturday, and cloud cover was mostly lacking for people in the path of annularity from Oregon to Texas.

NASA provided stunning views of the eclipse, including zoomed in views of the sun, detailed enough to show filament eruptions and solar flares!

Meteorologist Steve Glazier was in Capital Reef National Park, Utah to view the eclipse. Here's his reaction!

Now we look ahead to next years total solar eclipse, which will happen on April 8th of 2024!



A solar eclipse occurs when the Earth, Moon, and Sun all align where the moon is in the middle. This essentially blocks our view of the sun. We don't get this all the time, because of the differing elliptical paths of the Moon and Earth's orbits. But once in a while, the eclipse comes around. Saturday's eclipse was an "annular" eclipse, meaning the moon is just a tad smaller than the sun (as it appears in our sky). The moon never completely fills out the perimeter of the sun, but rather results in a phenomenon called the "ring of fire." The eclipse in 2024 will completely cover the sun.

Here is the chart of the locations and times of when the eclipse began and ended.

The path of totality will moved from Oregon to Nevada, directly over the Four Corners, and through Texas. Other areas of the country saw a partial solar eclipse.

Before you run out and look directly in the sun, stop! Make sure you have proper eyewear. Regular sunglasses won't work to keep your eyes safe. You'll need proper, and legitimate, solar sunglasses. If you can't make it to Saturday, October 14th's eclipse you'll have another chance at a TOTAL solar eclipse April 8, 2024. The total solar eclipse can be a greater phenomenon because of the view of the corona!

All Weather News
More
Repeated Rain Raising the Flood Threat

Repeated Rain Raising the Flood Threat

An unsettled weather pattern will continue to

25 May 2026 8:10 PM
Severe Threat For Portions of Texas To Start The Week

Severe Threat For Portions of Texas To Start The Week

WHAT TO EXPECTA trough will combine with inst

25 May 2026 8:05 PM
Severe Storms Target The Northern Plains

Severe Storms Target The Northern Plains

WHAT TO EXPECTOn Sunday, South Dakota and Min

25 May 2026 8:05 PM
Severe Storms, Heavy Rain Target the Southeast

Severe Storms, Heavy Rain Target the Southeast

WHAT TO EXPECTHeavy rain has already hit nume

24 May 2026 8:00 PM
NOAA Predicts Below Normal 2026 Hurricane Season

NOAA Predicts Below Normal 2026 Hurricane Season

NOAA has released their predictions for the 2

24 May 2026 4:00 PM
NOAA Releases Summer Outlook, Above Average Temperatures Expected

NOAA Releases Summer Outlook, Above Average Temperatures Expected

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administ

24 May 2026 3:00 PM
Severe Storms Persist in the Southern Plains, Gulf Coast

Severe Storms Persist in the Southern Plains, Gulf Coast

Several rounds of storms have been swinging t

23 May 2026 6:45 PM