On Saturday, October 14, the Oklahoma area will get to see a partial solar eclipse!

Although we are not in the direct path of the eclipse, coverage will be about 78% at approximately 11:49am.

This annular solar eclipse will pass over the United States beginning in the Northwestern part of the country, passing through Texas, and into the Gulf of Mexico. Since Science Museum Oklahoma will not be in the path of this eclipse, we will experience a partial solar eclipse.

An annular solar eclipse is where the Moon blocks the Sun, but not completely. They occur when the moon is further away from the Earth, resulting in a ring of sunlight surrounding the Moon during maximum coverage. A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Moon’s shadow partially misses the Earth, or when an annular or total eclipse is viewed from outside the Moon’s umbral shadow.

When it comes to safely viewing any eclipses, solar viewers are a necessity. To protect your eyes from the Sun, you must use a pair of solar eclipse glasses or a safe viewing alternative, such as a pinhole projector. There are many ways to enjoy an eclipse by viewing it indirectly, but direct viewing requires the right safety precautions.