Annular versus total
Let’s look at precisely how these upcoming spectacles measure up. During the peak of the annular solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023, the Sun will never be completely covered, but will instead appear as a brilliant ring in the sky. The Moon’s orbit is slightly elliptical; because our satellite will be near the far end of that orbit in early October, it will appear a bit smaller in diameter than the Sun.
At all times during an annular solar eclipse, you must use solar filters built to the ISO 12312-2 international standard. You can still delight in Baily’s beads (the small bits of exposed Sun along the Moon’s rough profile), the otherworldly view of the Sun as a perfect ring, the eerie daytime lighting during deep eclipse, and the curved shadow of the Sun projected onto the ground from gaps between tree leaves.
While an annular solar eclipse has its charms, it is merely the opening act for the main attraction: the long-duration total eclipse of the Sun on April 8, 2024. Just 177 days after the 2023 annular eclipse, Mexico, the U.S., and Canada will be split by the 122-mile-wide (197 kilometers) path of a total solar eclipse.
Unlike an annular eclipse, you can safely view totality with your naked eye — but only once the Sun has completely moved behind the Moon. During the rest of the event, you must use the same ISO standard 12312-2 solar filter to observe safely.
The 2024 eclipse promises a maximum totality of 4 minutes 28 seconds. During this time, you’ll be able to see diamond rings, Baily’s beads, the Sun’s corona, a 360° sunset, and even a few stars and planets.
