When is the eclipse? Do you need solar eclipse glasses? How do you take a photo of the eclipse with a smartphone? An annular solar eclipse—featuring a “ring of fire” for some—is imminent and you need quick answers to your questions.
Here’s exactly when and how to safely view Saturday’s annular and partial solar eclipse from the U.S., where to stream it online, how to photograph it, and everything else you need to know:
When Is The Solar Eclipse?
It will happen during the morning of Saturday, October 14, 2023. However, exactly when it will occur will depend on your precise location. You can find out the time of the eclipse for any location using the “eclipse lookup” option on Timeanddate.com here. It will show you exactly when the eclipse will start and finish.
Here’s an example for New York City:
Other great resources for planning include a a Google Map of the event and simulations of exactly what you’ll see from where you are.
How To View The Solar Eclipse Safely
Everyone will need to use solar eclipse glasses, which cost about $5 each (or less). Good places to buy them in person include science museums and planetariums. You can also find them in major stores.
Back in 2017 during the “Great American Eclipse” total solar eclipse there was a problem with counterfeit products. Make sure your glasses comply with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard, which will be displayed on the cardboard.
An easy shortcut to knowing they’re safe is to lookout for the name of the manufacturer. If you see American Paper Optics, Rainbow Symphony, Thousand Oaks Optical or Baader on the packaging, they’re likely safe.
Why To Share Solar Eclipse Glasses
You don’t need your own solar eclipse glasses. They’re essential for watching the eclipse, but you can’t see the moon move across the sun in real time—so just look every five minutes or so.
That’s great news because it means you can easily share your solar eclipse glasses with lots of other people.
How To Photograph The Solar Eclipse With A Smartphone
Although it will only get you a basic shot of the eclipse, try placing the lens of a pair of solar eclipse glasses in front of your smartphone’s camera. Your shot will be of basic quality, but hugely improved if you put your smartphone on a tripod—or give it some support. It’s also a good idea to set a short time delay to overcome any vibrations as you touch the shutter button.
The best solar eclipse photos using a smartphone are typically of people watching the eclipse—and of the beautiful “crescent sun” projections on the ground and on walls projected through trees or colanders.
Where Is The ‘Ring Of Fire’ Solar Eclipse?
Although everyone in North, Central and South America will see a partial solar eclipse, only from within a narrow 125 miles wide path touching nine U.S. states will it be possible to see a “ring of fire”—a halo of sunlight around the new moon—halfway through the event. This will occur because the new moon will be slightly farther away in its orbit, so not able to cover the sun completely.
The path of the “ring of fire” will go through Oregon, northern California, southwestern Idaho, Nevada, Utah, northeastern Arizona, southwestern Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. It will then be visible from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia and Brazil.
Wherever you plan to go, presume there will be crowds—and get to your viewing location well in advance of the partial eclipse starting.
Where To Live Stream The Solar Eclipse
Whether it’s bad weather or because you want to see the “ring of fire” from outside the path, the solar eclipse will be live streamed here on YouTube:
I’m an expert on eclipses—the editor of WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com and author of The Complete Guide To The Great North American Eclipse of April 8, 2024. For the very latest on the “ring of fire” solar eclipse—including travel and lodging options—check my main feed for new articles each day.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
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