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Jamie Carter

Annular solar eclipse October 2023: Plan your trip to see the amazing 'ring of fire' eclipse with these top tips

A series of images showing the progression of an annular solar eclipse.

Are you organized for the rare annular solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023

Although a partial solar eclipse that day will be visible across North, Central and South America, the 'ring of fire' around the moon will only be observable from a narrow path across Earth's surface. 

In the U.S. that path runs through eight states in the U.S. Southwest from Oregon to Texas, according to NASA, but it will pay to get clued-up and organized well in advance. 

Here's everything you ended to know to go eclipse-chasing in the U.S. Southwest this fall: 

Related: 'Ring of fire' from US national parks: 7 great places to see the annular solar eclipse 2023 

Prioritize clear skies 

Annular "ring of fire" solar eclipse captured Dec. 26. 2019.  (Image credit: Sorin Furcoi via Getty Images)

Maybe you want to watch the eclipse in a beautiful natural setting, perhaps alone or with loved ones. Or maybe you'd rather be at a guided observing session where telescopes are set up for a close-up and where scientists are on hand to explain what's going on. Either way, always prioritize clear skies. 

If it's cloudy where you are you won't see a thing. If you're heading for the path and a view of the 'ring of fire' then check climatic predictions well ahead of time and make plans accordingly. More importantly, inspect and react to weather predictions a couple of days before the big day. Only then should you nail down your intended location.

Related: Solar eclipses 2023: When is the next solar eclipse?  

Head to the centerline for the longest 'ring of fire' 

A map of the path of annularity for the annular solar eclipse on October 14, 2023.   (Image credit: GreatAmericanEclipse.com/MichaelZeiler)

Reading an eclipse map doesn't come naturally to anyone so learn the essentials to get the view you want. On October 14, 2023, the path of annularity will move from the Oregon coast southwest to Texas. As it strikes Oregon it will be 137 miles wide, but by the time it leaves Texas it will have narrowed to 118 miles. Although anywhere in North America will get you a partial solar eclipse you must be within the orange strip (in the map above) to see a 'ring of fire'. However, the closer you are to the centreline of that path, the longer the ring will be visible for. 

Related: This epic NASA map shows where to see US solar eclipses in 2023 and 2024 

Respect indigenous cultures 

The eclipse will be visible from Monument Valley Tribal Park. (Image credit: Don White via Getty Images)

The likes of Monument Valley Tribal Park and Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Arizona might seem like ideal places to watch the eclipse, but bear in mind that the Navajo culture sees an eclipse as literally the death of the sun. "You might think that everybody wants to jump up and down and scream and be excited and have fun, but there are cultural sensitivities that we need to be looking out for in the U.S. Southwest," says Cherilynn Morrow from the Southwest Research Institute, and outreach on NASA's eclipse-themed PUNCH mission. "Some people will be inside fasting and praying." In Navajo culture, an eclipse is called jóhonaa'éí daaztsą́ ("the sun is dead"). The sun is said to be reborn again as the eclipse ends. It's a sacred event and across the Navajo nation people will stay at home and avert their eyes, pray or meditate. 

Related: The Native American night sky: 7 starry sights to see

Expect crowds and plan accordingly 

People living inside the path of the eclipse on October 14, 2023, by state. (Image credit: Michael Zeiler/GreatAmericanEclipse.com)

About six million people live inside the path of the annular solar eclipse, almost two-thirds of them in Texas according to GreatAmericanEclipse.com, so expect crowds — particularly in big cities like San Antonio, Texas and Albuquerque, New Mexico (both of them in the path and both considered 'ground zero' for this eclipse). 

If you're anywhere near those two cities plan for heavy traffic after the eclipse. If you want a solitary experience then stay over at your observing location and/or head to Nevada, Utah, Arizona and Colorado, where the path of annularity is lightly populated yet packed with scenic spots. 

However, book ahead if you want to be in a State Park of National Park, with the likes of Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, Great Basin National Park in Nevada, Bryce Canyon National Park and Canyonlands National Park in Utah (all of them also International Dark Sky Parks) and Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park in Arizona bound to be busy. 

Organize a stargazing-themed road-trip 

The Fins rock formation in Arches National Park. (Image credit: marion faria photography via Getty Images)

Why not plan a night sky road trip that takes in the eclipse? The timing is perfect because solar eclipses, by definition, always occur at New Moon, which is also when night skies are at their darkest. By coincidence, the path of this eclipse either moves across or is close to, a lot of International Dark Sky Places

Related: 21 amazing dark sky reserves around the world

There are way too many to visit in one trip, but almost all the National Parks in Nevada, Utah and New Mexico have protected dark skies, as do many State Parks and National Monuments. Just a few of the many International Dark Sky Parks in the path include Capitol Reef National Park and Goosneck State Park in Utah and Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado while close to the path are Yosemite National Park in California, Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, Arches National Park in Utah and Enchanted Rock State Park in Texas. 

Related: The ultimate guide to planning epic stargazing road trips in the US southwest

Upgrade your solar eclipse glasses 

When used correctly, solar eclipse glasses are a great way to view the sun safely. (Image credit: Daniel MacDonald / www.dmacphoto.com via Getty Images)

This is a rare event that happens only once in a while, so get yourself a close-up. Since an annular solar eclipse is, technically speaking, just a particularly beautiful partial solar eclipse, solar filters are required at all times. That doesn't mean you have to use a pair of cardboard solar eclipse glasses. One option is to get some of American Paper Optics' Plastic Eclipser HD Glasses, which are sunglasses-style solar filters that are much more hard-wearing and comfortable to wear than the cardboard versions. 

Get a close-up 

The Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars are a portable upgrade for observing the partial phases of any solar eclipse. (Image credit: Lunt Solar Systems)

If you want a close-up then buy a pair of binoculars with solar filters built-in to the objective lenses. Examples include the Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars and Celestron EclipSmart 10x42mm Porro Solar Binoculars, though the smaller the magnification the easier it is to find the eclipse in the sky. If a small telescope is preferable, choose between a high-end Lunt 60mm solar telescope and something more affordable like the Celestron EclipSmart Travel Solar Scope 50. If you're feeling crafty you can make your own solar filters for an existing pair of binoculars or any telescope using Thousand Oaks Optical solar filter sheet

Related: How to observe the sun safely (and what to look for) 

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