Annular Solar Eclipse- The "ring of fire" 2023

The "ring of fire" annular eclipse that crossed the United States was indeed a rare and dazzling event. An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Sun and Earth while it is at its farthest point from Earth, which results in the Sun appearing as a ring or "ring of fire" around the moon.

This particular eclipse occurred on a Saturday, and people across the United States, from Oregon to Texas, were able to witness this spectacular celestial event. However, this was the last annular solar eclipse that would be visible from American skies until June 21, 2039, as mentioned by NASA. The 2039 eclipse will have a more limited path, passing only over the skies in the state of Alaska.

The eclipse started in Oregon just after 8 a.m. local time and ended around midday in Texas, giving spectators a remarkable view of the "ring of fire."

For those who missed this eclipse or are eager for more celestial events, the next eclipse is set to take place in April 2024. Unlike the annular eclipse, this will be a total eclipse, meaning that it will become briefly dark during the middle of the day as the moon completely covers the Sun. This eclipse will be visible from Maine to Texas and is expected to be another awe-inspiring event for skywatchers.