Coming to the Grand Canyon on May 20: An Annular Eclipse
An annular eclipse occurs when the moon passes completely in front of the sun, blotting it out except for a fiery halo (an annulus) around the moon. It will be visible in parts of China and Japan, as well as the West Coast and western Canada. What makes this annular eclipse extra special is that the Grand Canyon will be right in the region of annularity. As one enthusiast has put it, “I haven’t checked, but I’m pretty sure this is the only time in the entire history of the hominin family, past or future, that one will be able to see a ring of fire hovering over the Canyon.”
The National Park Service will be hosting an event at the Grand Cayon, and amateur astronomers will likely be flocking to the site. I haven’t been to the Grand Canyon since I was a child, and I’m only a few hours drive from it - there’s a good chance I’ll be there. And even if you can’t make it to the Canyon, West Coasters should keep their eyes peeled on the 20th.
(Source: whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com)
