Previous Eclipses
Solar Eclipse - April 8, 2024
Partial eclipse in the CSRA, 76% coverage of the Sun
On April 8, 2023, people in the CSRA had the opportunity to witness a partial solar eclipse. The DuPont Planetarium, Ruth Patrick Science Education Center, and the Astronomy Club of Augusta hosted a safe viewing of the eclipse on the lawn of the Ruth Patrick Science Education entrance.
Partial Solar Eclipse at RPSEC: 33°34'29.1"N, 81°46'10.7"W
Solar Eclipse Links:
- Interactive Map for the Eclipse
- Eclipse Information for Ruth Patrick Science Education Center
- Mr. Eclipse.com
- NASA's Eclipse Website
- US Naval Observatory Eclipse Website
Annular Solar Eclipse - October 14, 2023
Partial eclipse in the CSRA, 47% coverage of the Sun
Partial Solar Eclipse at RPSEC: 33°34'29.1"N, 81°46'10.7"W
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Eclipse Begins |
Sat, Oct 14, 2023 at 11:48 am |
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Maximum Eclipse |
Sat, Oct 14, 2023 at 1:17 pm |
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Eclipse Ends |
Sat, Oct 14, 2023 at 2:48 pm |
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Duration |
3 hours |
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Obscuration |
46.90% |
An annular eclipse is a type of solar eclipse that occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, but the apparent size of the Moon is smaller than that of the Sun. As a result, when the Moon is over the center of the Sun, a ring of light from the outer edge of the Sun is still visible. This type of eclipse is often referred to as a "ring of fire" eclipse. Annular eclipses are less common than total solar eclipses, where the Moon completely covers the Sun.
Characteristics of an Annular Eclipse:
- Ring-like appearance: During an annular eclipse, the Moon covers most of the Sun's central disk but does not completely block it. This creates a bright ring of sunlight, or the solar corona, around the dark silhouette of the Moon.
- Alignment: For an annular eclipse to occur, the Sun, Moon, and Earth must be in near-perfect alignment. The Moon must be at or near its apogee, the farthest point from Earth in its elliptical orbit, to appear smaller in the sky.
- Geographic coverage: Annular eclipses are visible only along a narrow path on the Earth's surface. People outside this path will see a partial eclipse, where the Sun appears partially covered by the Moon, but they will not observe the "ring of fire."
- Safety precautions: It is essential to use proper eye protection when observing an annular eclipse and partial eclipse. Directly looking at the Sun during any phase of the eclipse can cause severe eye damage.