Annular Solar Eclipse Sweeps Across the Americas, Eliciting Euphoric Reactions

The skies gradually dimmed, followed by crescent-like formations cast upon the Earth, culminating in an outpouring of jubilant applause from spectators who assembled on Saturday to witness an uncommon annular solar eclipse, colloquially known as a “ring of fire.”

This celestial occurrence was observed by millions throughout the Americas, as the moon took its position, and a radiant ring materialized in the sky.

In Albuquerque, where the eclipse occurred simultaneously with an international hot air balloon festival that typically attracts a large global audience of spectators and balloon pilots, exclamations of awe and wonderment resounded. Participants were doubly fortunate, as hot air balloons ascended in a coordinated launch shortly after daybreak, followed by the eclipse a few hours later. Propane burners on some balloons were synchronized to release flames skyward as the extraordinary event unfolded.

Allan Hahn, hailing from Aurora, Colorado, who piloted the balloon named Heaven Bound Too—one of 72 chosen for a special illumination event as twilight approached—commented on the serendipitous merging of their passion for aviation with the natural marvel of an eclipse.

Distinct from a total solar eclipse, an annular eclipse occurs when the moon does not entirely obscure the sun, leaving a glowing perimeter. As the moon positioned itself between the Earth and the sun, observers in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, were amongst the witnesses to the annular phase of the eclipse on Saturday, October 14, 2023.

The eclipse’s trajectory spanned multiple states in the U.S., including Oregon, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas, with portions of California, Arizona, and Colorado also witnessing the event. It then proceeded to countries in Latin America, such as Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Brazil. Other regions in the Western Hemisphere experienced a partial eclipse.

Weather conditions were crucial for a clear viewing experience, and live streaming was provided by NASA and other organizations.

In Cancun, Mexico, hundreds congregated at the planetarium, using an array of viewing instruments, including box projectors, telescopes, and specialized eyewear. Emotional responses ranged from children whistling in enthusiasm to adults gesturing towards the sky in a welcoming manner.

Pilar Cáceres, a 77-year-old retired educator, remarked on the invigorating energy that the event bestows and pondered how the Maya civilization, renowned astronomers yet superstitious about eclipses, might have reacted.

In the United States, devotees of the event sought remote vistas for optimum observation. In Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, enthusiasts commenced their trek before dawn to secure prime viewing locations. Audible cheers reverberated through the canyon as the ring fully formed.

Localities along the eclipse’s path felt a combination of anticipation and apprehension about accommodating the influx of tourists. In Eugene, Oregon, reactions were mixed; intermittent cloud cover obstructed the eclipse at times.

The event’s entire duration ranged from two and a half to three hours, with the “ring of fire” phase lasting between three to five minutes, depending on the location. The next total solar eclipse is anticipated in April, traversing the U.S. in a different pattern, originating from Mexico and concluding in eastern Canada.

Another annular solar eclipse is expected in October of next year at the southern tip of South America, followed by an occurrence in Antarctica in 2026. The United States will not witness another such event until 2039, with Alaska being the sole state in its direct trajectory.

Contributions to this comprehensive report were made by Rush from Eugene, Oregon, as well as AP reporters Patrick Whittle in Portland, Maine; Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Brady McCombs in Garfield County, Utah; Astrid Suarez in Bogota, Colombia; María Verza in Cancun, Mexico; Iván Valencia from Tatacoa Desert, Colombia; and Mauricio Savarese in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about annular solar eclipse

More about annular solar eclipse

• NASA’s Overview of Annular Solar Eclipses
• International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque
• Cultural Perspectives on Solar Eclipses: Maya Civilization
• Weather Impact on Viewing Solar Eclipses
• Viewing Techniques and Safety Measures for Solar Eclipses
• Future Solar Eclipses: Dates and Paths
• Solar Eclipse Experiences for the Visually Impaired
• Public Reactions to Celestial Events: A Sociological Study