Millions of people around the world are preparing to witness the breathtaking annular solar eclipse that is set to grace the skies of the Western Hemisphere this weekend. Starting in Oregon on Saturday morning, this celestial marvel will make its way across the American Southwest, exiting the United States through Texas. It will then traverse the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, passing through several Central American countries before reaching South America. The eclipse will travel through Colombia and Brazil, and finally conclude its journey over the Atlantic Ocean.

Experts are urging people to remember to never look directly at a partial eclipse and to take precautionary measures to protect their eyes. It is advised to wear protective eyewear or use an alternative viewing method to ensure the safety of one's vision.

For those wondering what an annular solar eclipse is, it occurs when the moon is perfectly positioned between the sun and the Earth, blocking the sun from our view. During this phenomenon, a portion of the Earth is engulfed in lunar shadow. It is a remarkable coincidence that the sun and the moon appear to be the same size in the sky. Despite the sun being much larger, it is also significantly farther away from Earth. An annular solar eclipse specifically occurs when the moon is at its farthest point from Earth, known as apogee. As a result, the moon appears slightly smaller than the sun, creating a visible orange halo around it, often referred to as the "ring of fire." In contrast, a total solar eclipse occurs when the moon is closer to Earth, fully obscuring the sun and casting the sky into darkness.

Those eager to witness the annular solar eclipse should aim to be along the path of annularity, within the shadow of the moon during this time. The New York Times has published a map that displays the approximate path of the eclipse. Cities in the United States that fall along or near this path include Eugene, Oregon; Ely and Battle Mountain in Nevada; Richfield, Utah; Roswell and Albuquerque in New Mexico; and Midland, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi in Texas. Noteworthy landmarks within the path of annularity include Crater Lake in Oregon, Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, and Lava Beds National Monument in California. It should be noted that certain areas along the eclipse path will be closed to accommodate traditional Indigenous beliefs.

Outside of the United States, various cities will also experience the annular eclipse. These include Campeche and Chetumal in Mexico, Belize City in Belize, Olanchito in Honduras, Cali in Colombia, and Tefe and Jo??o Pessoa in Brazil.

As Saturday approaches, excitement is building for the annular solar eclipse. Eclipse maps reveal the percentage of the sun that will be obscured at different locations and times. In Canada, the sun will be obscured by 90%, with the peak occurring at 9:20 a.m. Pacific Time, 10:35 a.m. Mountain Time, and 11:50 a.m. Central Time. In the Gulf of Mexico, the peak will be at 11:20 a.m. Central Standard Time. As the eclipse continues, it will reach Cuba, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica, and Venezuela, with the peak occurring at 1:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. In Brazil, the peak will be at 4:40 p.m. Bras?­lia time, and in the Amazon, it will be at 3:10 p.m. Additionally, countries such as Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia will also experience the eclipse, with the peak occurring at 11:30 a.m. Central Standard Time and 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

This annular solar eclipse promises to be a spectacular event that will captivate millions of people across the Western Hemisphere. Experts and enthusiasts alike are eagerly counting down the days until they can witness this celestial wonder firsthand. It serves as a reminder of the extraordinary occurrences that nature has to offer and the importance of protecting our eyes while experiencing them.