Lake Tahoe prime spot to see Sunday’s solar eclipse
By Matt Weiser, Sacramento Bee
Stargazing enthusiasts across Northern California are mobilizing for the biggest event of its kind to visit the region in two decades: a “Ring of Fire” solar eclipse visible across half the state Sunday evening.
The so-called “annular” eclipse means the moon will pass directly in front of the sun without obscuring it completely. As a result, the sun will appear as an orange ring in the sky.
The moon will be at one of its more distant points in its orbit around Earth, making it appear about 94 percent of the sun’s diameter. The effect will be visible across virtually all of Northern California in a 200-mile-wide diagonal swath from the Oregon border to Lake Tahoe.
Some of the best viewing locations will include Crescent City, Redding, Susanville and, in Nevada, Pyramid Lake. These areas lie along the central path of the moon’s alignment with the sun on Sunday evening, and the eclipse will be truly concentric along this path.
People in many other areas of Northern California and northern Nevada will be able to observe the annular effect, although not perfectly concentric.
The eclipse is expected to begin at about 5:13pm, when the moon starts its transit in front of the sun. The full annular effect will be visible for four and a half minutes starting at about 6:26pm Sunday, though the exact time and duration will vary slightly depending on location.
Anyone know where I can get my kids some proper viewing glasses so they can see the eclipse and not ruin their eyes? We heard the Planetarium in Reno is sold out already (bummer).
Amanda…when I was a kid we made viewing boxes…the light comes through a pinhole and reflects on the ground. Good how to make solar eclipse viewers and you’ll see a bunch of designs.
Amanda, the viewing box is the best and safest method to use to view the eclipse. Especially with children. It will teach them a little science as well as the importance of safety. You also get a chance to make a piece of scientific apparatus. Great fun!
it is not a ‘….so called ‘annular’ eclipse.’ It IS an ‘annular’ eclipse. you can use a pinhole box, or hold an eyeglass lens close to the ground-DON”T LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN(at any time)without proper eye protection. #14 welders glass is the preferred filter. I couldn’t find any up here, but was able to find #12. The business that sold it told me that #12 was ok for viewing the eclipse. Funny that no website i went to supported their claim though. A friend told me viewing it’s reflection in a bucket of still water would work…hmmmm…I think i’ll use the #12 lens but only for a few seconds at a time. Also check out the shadows at totality(about 6:37 pm-especially if dappled through leaves…truly trippy!
Annular -adj, Origin:
1565–75; < Latin annulāris, equivalent to annul ( us ) ring (variant of ānulus ) + -āris -ar1
Take pair binoculars ,leave one cap on lens ,turn upside down it acts like a projecter,zoom lens on camera’s works great also.