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nnThis week, on May 20, 2012, I was fortunate to observe a solar eclipse near my home. Eclipses in general are rare and not to be missed, but this eclipse known as an annular eclipse was particularly rare and spectacular. This is the first annular eclipse to take place in the mainland United States since May 10, 1994, and the next one won’t come until October 14, 2023. It’s the first solar eclipse of any kind in the mainland U.S. (not including Hawaii and Alaska) in the 21st century (2001-2100).nn

nnnnnnnnIn an annular, or ring clipse, the moon crosses directly in front of the sun, much as it does during a total solar eclipse. But, at an annular eclipse, the moon is too far away in its monthly orbit around Earth to appear large enough in our sky to cover the sun completely. So, at mid-eclipse instead of the moon covering the sun completely, as in a total eclipse, turning the sky dark and blotting the sun from view – in an annular eclipse a ring surrounds the moon silhouette. This dazzling ring is the outer edge of the sun. An annular eclipse is a partial eclipse in the sense that the moon never blots out the sun completely.nnAlthough the eclipse was visible from my home, I chose to travel with some friends south into New Mexico so that when the eclipse is in totality, we would see the full ring of the sun around the moon (see the center photo at right).nnPhotographing solar eclipses takes special equipment. Specifically you need a special solar filter that will protect your camera’s sensor and your eye. Unfortunately, I did not have this expensive necessary filter. What I did have was a pair of solar eclipse viewing glasses. The photos you see that I made were taken by holding a pair of these glasses in front of the small lens of my point and shoot camera.nn

nnWant to find out when the next eclipse will be and where you can see it? Check the US Naval Observatory’s Eclipse Calculator.nnRemember, it’s of the utmost importance to use proper eye protection whenever watching a partial or an annular solar eclipse.nn