Augusta will be able to see approximately a 55% covering of the sun by the moon on Saturday, October 14 during an annular eclipse. It  begins at 10:32 am, peaking to it’s maximum cover around 11:57 am, and ending at 1:26 pm.  [NOTE:  The eclipse will look similar to the 3rd and 4th pictures in the image’s top row.]  The Augusta Library is offering safe-viewing eclipse sunglasses for each person, while supplies last.

What is an annular eclipse?  It is also known as a ring of fire because the moon almost blocks out the entire sun.  It leaves a small “ring” of the sun  visible.  It’s fascinating to watch an eclipse go through the stages from a crescent shadow to as much coverage as possible up to totality, and then reverse from a half shadow or more back to a crescent shadow and then seeing the sun in its full glory once again.

Some of you may remember the total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017 that traveled through Augusta.  The next total eclipse will be April 8, 2924;  it will just miss totality in Augusta.