Did you know that a partial solar eclipse will occur in October? It occurs at midday on Saturday, giving even casual enthusiasts an easy opportunity to enjoy the wonders of celestial movement.
Here in Vermont, viewers will be able to see the moon capture a small portion of the sun on October 14. But in the American West and Southwest, skygazers will see an annular eclipse, when the Moon’s relative position is smaller than the Sun and the resulting image is a “ring of fire” surrounding the Moon’s body.
The partial eclipse will begin at 12:12 p.m. Eastern time, reach its peak at 1:19 p.m., and end at 2:26 p.m.
How to watch a solar eclipse
Approved solar eclipse glasses are essential for viewing a partial solar eclipse, as the dark lenses protect the eyes from harmful light rays. When normally looking at the sun, a natural reaction is for people to blink to protect their eyes, but as the intensity decreases during an eclipse, it becomes possible to stare at the sun. Ultraviolet light is still emitted and can cause permanent damage to eyesight.
The same applies to cameras, camcorders, and phones. If you want to take a photo or video, you can tape a pair of sunglasses over the lens of the device you are using or purchase a special solar filter designed to fit the lens. Make sure you see the sun through this device. This way the glasses or filter provide protection for the device and your eyes at the same time.
ECHO celebrates the solar eclipse
Want to create an event from this event and learn more from the experts? ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain The city of Burlington hosts programs to celebrate the eclipse. Physics Students Association of the University of Vermont and Vermont Astronomical Society ECHO staff will help lead family-friendly activities and safe sun viewing. Sunglasses and a telescope will show what can be seen in the Vermont sky, or visitors can use a pair of sunglasses that come with admission to the ECHO Center. The center will also set up a live broadcast to watch what the annular eclipse looks like from parts of the Earth that will be able to see the “ring of fire.”
This eclipse also provides a chance to prepare for the big eclipse: the total solar eclipse that northern Vermont will be lining up for and which will occur on April 8 from 2:14 to 4:37 p.m. Sky watchers of all types get a chance to experience it. Their equipment and potential locations, a sort of training for next year’s once-in-a-lifetime event.
if you go…
What: Watch a partial solar eclipsewhere: ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, 1 College Street, Burlingtonwhen: From 10 am to 5 pmit costs: Regular admission to ECHO or free to members; The sunglasses are pay what you can with a suggested donation of $3More information: echovermont.org/event/2023-partial-solar-eclipse
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Contact reporter April Barton in abarton@freepressmedia.com Or 802-660-1854. Follow her on Twitter @aprildbarton.
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