On Oct. 14, an annular solar eclipse will cross North, Central and South America - and Corvallis is directly in the path of “totality.”  Similar to the 2017 total solar eclipse, we are perfectly positioned to see this amazing natural phenomenon.  

What is an annular solar eclipse?

An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, partially blocking our view of the sun. The difference between a total eclipse and an annular eclipse is that the moon will not completely block the sun but will appear slightly smaller. At the peak of the eclipse, or during “annularity,” a “ring of fire” will be visible all the way around the moon.  

When will it occur?

The annular eclipse will begin at 8:06 a.m. PT, with maximum annularity from 9:18 – 9:20 a.m. and the eclipse ending at 10:39 a.m. 

Where is the best place to view the eclipse?

With an early morning eclipse (sunrise will be at 7:27 a.m. PT), the sun will be low in the sky, close to the horizon. The best views will be from a spot where you can see the horizon or the tops of the cascade mountains (when the sky is clear) without trees or buildings blocking the view. Even if it is cloudy, you should still be able to see the “ring of fire”. The OSU Alumni Association will be hosting a viewing event at Trysting Golf Club. Registration is required!

Eye safety during an annular eclipse.

During an annular solar eclipse, it is never safe to look directly at the sun. Viewers should wear specialized eye protection designed for solar viewing. Learn how to make your own pin-hole filter at one of the solar eclipse workshops. Learn more about safety while watching the eclipse from NASA.

Join us for one of these great solar eclipse events: 

Interesting in learning more about a solar eclipse?

Photo credit: Phillip Jones/Stocktrek Images via Getty Images 

Solar Eclipse Viewing at Oregon State University, August 2017

Watch and hear the crowd react during the 2017 total solar eclipse.

 

Solar Eclipse Time Lapse at Oregon State University, August 2017

See how the light changes over time during this time-lapse video of campus during the solar eclipse in 2027. You will notice at about 28 seconds; the light starts to darken and then returns to daylight at about 33 seconds.