Annular Solar Eclipse over Utah on October 14, 2023

An annular solar eclipse visits Utah. If you are inside the path of annular solar eclipse, you will see the dramatic sight of the Sun as a thin ring, almost but not completely eclipsed by the Moon. Daylight will be dimmed considerably, but not dark like a total solar eclipse. This eerie sight can be enjoyed with eclipse glasses and other safe viewing methods.

The annular solar eclipse begins in Utah at 10:24 am MDT with the speed of the Moon’s shadow being 3897 mph. The annular solar eclipse leaves Utah at 10:35 am MDT and the Moon’s shadow diminishes to 2643 mph. The maximum duration of annularity in Utah is 4 minutes and 40 seconds.

The annular solar eclipse visits the richest concentration of National Park units in the nation, including Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Glen Canyon National Recreational Area, Rainbow Bridge National Monument, Natural Bridges National Monument, Hovenweep National Monument and Bears Ears National Monument. Also notable is the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

Southern Utah is easily one of the most scenic areas in the United States and an excellent choice for eclipse visitors. People coming to Utah for the annular solar eclipse will also enjoy exceptionally dark night skies and generally good weather.

About the Annular Solar Eclipse

During an annular solar eclipse, the apparent size of the Moon’s disk is slightly smaller than the apparent size of the Sun’s disk. Therefore, only the outer edge of the Sun remains visible and the Sun appears as a brilliant ring if you are inside the path of annular solar eclipse. This is an otherworldly sight often called a “ring of fire”. Here are instructions for the safely viewing solar eclipses by the American Astronomical Society and endorsed by several professional societies.

This eclipse will be a warm-up act for the spectacle of the total solar eclipse crossing the United States just 177 days later on April 8, 2024. While not as dramatic as a total solar eclipse, an annular solar eclipse promises a spectacular vision featuring the striking sight of the Sun as a ring. We recommend solar binoculars for viewing the dynamic Baily’s Beads, sparkling points of brilliant sunlight as the Moon’s limb rolls over the Sun’s edge.

Tips for viewing the annular solar eclipse

• Learn the simple methods to safely view a solar eclipse. At all times during an annular solar eclipse, you must use eclipse glasses or other safe viewing method. Visit eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety for detailed instructions.

• Plan ahead. If you choose to stay in a hotel, be aware that most will sell out. A perfect guide to planning your eclipse is our field guide, greatamericaneclipse.com/books/field-guide-to-the-2023-and-2024-solar-eclipses.

• Get to your destination early and try to spend eclipse night at or near your viewing location. Expect the highways and freeways to be extra busy in the aftermath of totality.

• Be self-sufficient. Fill up your gas tank and bring food and water.

• Check the local TV weather reports as eclipse day approaches. The meteorologists will give you great advice on viewing the eclipse and whether you may need to relocate. We recommend eclipsophile.com as the essential site for eclipse meteorology.

• Unless you are an experienced photographer, we recommend that you not attempt photography during the eclipse. You will be so stunned that it will be difficult to operate a camera. If you choose to do photography, visit Fred Espenak’s MrEclipse.com for advice.

Animation of the Annular Solar Eclipse across Utah

Our animation shows you exactly where the eclipse will be total, moment-by-moment. The maximum duration shown is for locations along the very center of the eclipse path. This animation is built using data from retired NASA astrophysicist Fred Espenak (eclipsewise.com) and eclipse expert Xavier Jubier (xjubier.free.fr). You may freely share our maps and animations on social media and web sites, we just ask for a link to our website.

Impact of the eclipse in Utah

The annular solar eclipse will attract people from throughout the nation. People will most likely drive the shortest path to a location inside the path of annular solar eclipse. This map shows that Utah can expect visitors from the metropolitan areas of Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Salt Lake City as well as people from eastern Idaho, northeastern Colorado, Wyoming, eastern South Dakota, and Montana.

Eclipse weather in Utah

The essential eclipse weather website eclipsophile.com says that the weather prospects in the Great Basin region in Nevada and Utah: “As the eclipse track passes the Warner Mountains and crosses into Nevada, it enters the Great Basin, a large elevated plateau that covers most of Nevada, half of Utah, and parts of the surrounding states. The Sierra Nevada and Cascade Mountains block the flow of Pacific moisture from the west and the Wasatch Mountains do the same to the east, casting a large rain shadow over the entire region (Figure 6). The Basin has a closed drainage system, holding all of its precipitation (which comes mostly as winter snow) internally in underground storage or in small lakes.”

Our advice is to stack your odds by paying attention to short-term weather forecasts and if poor weather is forecast, jump in your car very early on eclipse day (or the evening before) and drive either to the northwest or southeast to chase after clear skies. You will never regret the effort to seek out a clear view of an annular eclipse of the Sun, it will register in your memory all your life.

Eclipse times at scenic sites in Utah