If you’re far enough north, the skies will darken ominously on early Saturday morning as the moon slides across the face of the sun and creates a rare and hauntingly beautiful “ring of fire” eclipse.
But even in the Bay Area, we may detect a subtle dimming, evidence of the clockwork of the universe as the sun and moon appear to cross paths.
“The sun will look like a crescent. We’ll see a giant bite taken out of the sun’s surface,” said astronomer Andrew Fraknoi, lecturer at the Fromm Institute at the University of San Francisco. A big, big dark disk will travel in front of the sun, he said, “and that’s the moon.”
Saturday’s astronomical event — an “annular” solar eclipse — is different from a total solar eclipse we experienced in 2017. Because the moon is in a distant part of its orbit, it’s too small to completely cover the sun, so we see a bright ring of light. A total eclipse occurs when the moon is closer to us, so it completely conceals the sun.
Friday morning is a good time to start planning. Upon awakening, look east to find the sunrise — because that’s the same spot you’ll look for the eclipse on Saturday between 8:05 a.m. and 10:42 a.m., peaking at 9:20 a.m. If possible, get some altitude. Because the morning sun will be low on the eastern horizon, any hills or tall buildings will obscure its view.
Finally, hope for clear skies. But even if morning skies are overcast, as predicted, a few gaps in the clouds could allow a glimpse.
At its peak in the Bay Area, 83% of the sun will be covered by the moon. But it might feel no darker than if a wandering cloud passed over the sun. That’s because the remaining 17% of the sun is still blazingly bright.
The only place in California with a full view will be the state’s far northeastern corner.
“We’re pretty excited,” said bookstore owner Michael Sykes, a former Marin County resident who now lives in the remote Modoc County town of Cedarville, population 437, where hotel rooms have been booked for months.
He may join festivities with other “ecliptophiles” in Modoc National Forest in Alturas, where the Rotary Club of Alturas will hold a pancake breakfast and the Alturas Lions Club will host a post-eclipse barbecue. Or he may ascend the nearby Warner Mountains for a more sweeping view.
For the rest of us, here’s a handy guide to understand Saturday’s sky show:
Q: How rare are these eclipses?
A: While so-called “annular eclipses” are not all that unusual, North America hasn’t seen one recently. The last big show was in the Middle East and South and Southeast Asia in December 2019.
The last total solar eclipse to cross America occurred in August 2017, touching 14 states during its 70-mile-long path of totality and thrilling a nation that hadn’t seen a total eclipse so widely viewed since 1918. There will be another one next year, on April 8.
Q: Who gets to see Saturday’s “ring of fire?”
A: It will be visible across a narrow band that crosses the corner of California and through parts of eight other states: Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Those closest to the centerline will experience darker skies. Outside of that strip, observers will see a crescent sun, or a partial solar eclipse.
Q: Since it’s only a partial eclipse, is it safe to look at it?
A: No. Exposure to the intense light from the sun — even if its just a slender slice — can cause injury to your retinas that may not heal.
Special protective “eclipse glasses,” not just sunglasses, are needed. Thanks to the Moore Foundation, 13,000 public libraries — including most in the Bay Area — will be giving away eclipse glasses. But they’re available only while supplies last. One pair per household.
If you can’t find eclipse glasses, try looking for small eclipse images on the ground under a leafy tree. Or use a kitchen colander or perforated serving spoon, held over your shoulder. The small holes in these objects act like pinhole cameras that project images of the eclipse below you. This effect is most dramatic within a half hour of the the maximum eclipse.
Here are some of the viewing parties planned in the Bay Area:
- Berkeley: 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. UC Berkeley, 1 Centennial Drive https://lawrencehallofscience.org/events/eclipse-viewing-party/
- Livermore: 7:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. Tri-Valley Stargazers at Las Positas College, https://www.trivalleystargazers.org/
- Los Altos Hills: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Foothill College Observatory
- Mill Valley: 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Mill Valley Library in Hauke Park
- Oakland: 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Chabot Space & Science Center. 10000 Skyline Blvd). Cost: $30 Adult, $25 Youth/Sr/Student, under 2 free.
- Palo Alto: 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 AM. Stanford/KIPAC at South Fields, 1600 El Camino Real, https://kipac.stanford.edu/events/solar-eclipse-viewing-party
- San Francisco: 9:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Exploratorium, Pier 15, Embarcadero at Green Street). It will be broadcasting live, close-up images from telescopes located in the Valley of the Gods, Utah, and Ely, Nevada.
- San Jose: 7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. San Jose Astronomical Association, Houge Park, 3972 Twilight Drive.
- San Mateo: 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. College of San Mateo Plaza of the Sun (outside Building 36).
- Tiburon: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Marin Stargazers at Ring Mountain in Tiburon. Park at the end of Taylor Rd. https://www.facebook.com/events/259470563634380/ or see event web page.
- For a complete list: https://sites.google.com/site/aancsite/calendar/eclipses/2023-oct-14-eclipse-viewing
