DENVER — A rare, spectacular display will occur in the skies over Colorado as the “Ring of Fire” blocks the sun Saturday morning.
It’s been 11 years since we’ve seen an annular eclipse, and we’ll get a good view of it here in Colorado.
An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth. Because the Moon is farther from Earth, it appears smaller than the Sun and does not completely cover our star. This creates what is known as a “ring of fire” effect in the sky.
Koji Sasahara/AFP
Most parts of Colorado, including Denver, will not see that “Ring of Fire.” However, we will be able to see about 82% of the Sun covered by the Moon. To get the full experience, you’ll have to head to areas in southwestern Colorado, like Four Corners and nearby cities like Albuquerque or Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The eclipse generates a lot of excitement. For this reason, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is warning drivers to be aware of excess traffic, especially along the Highway 160 Corridor.
In Colorado, the eclipse will begin at 9:14 a.m., with maximum coverage of about 82% at 10:36 a.m., and it all ends at 12:06 p.m.
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science will have telescopes available to the public to safely view the eclipse.
How to protect your eyes during an eclipse
The easiest and most common way to see it is to use special solar eclipse glasses, as sunglasses are not enough to prevent eye damage. Proper protection is needed throughout the eclipse, from the initial partial phase through the ring of fire to the final partial phase, according to planetary scientist Alex Lockwood of NASA.
There are other options if you don’t have eclipse glasses. You can look indirectly with a pinhole projector you can make yourself, including one made from a cereal box.
Cameras – including those on cell phones – and binoculars or telescopes need special solar filters mounted on the front.
Remember: Do not look at the eclipse with the naked eye.
Where to watch in Denver if you can’t do so safely at home
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science will have telescopes available to the public to safely view the eclipse. The museum is hosting an eclipse viewing event on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Colorado is in the path of a rare “ring of fire” solar eclipse Saturday morning
Follow-up
What would you like Denver7 to follow? Is there a story, topic or issue you want us to come back to? Let us know with the contact form below.
“Devoted student. Bacon advocate. Beer scholar. Troublemaker. Falls down a lot. Typical coffee enthusiast.”