US states prepare for surge of visitors as ‘ring of fire’ eclipse nears

Celestial display will travel through eight states, where reservations and searches for flights are increasing

An annular eclipse will pass from Oregon to Texas on Saturday, offering millions of people the opportunity to witness a spectacular ring of fire" in the skies. As cities in the path are bracing for a flock of visitors this weekend, universities, parks, museums and planetariums are preparing to host and educate eager viewers.

When the moon is farthest from Earth, an annular solar eclipse takes place. As it passes the sun, the moon does not block it entirely and instead leaves the sun's bright, outer edges visible, forming a fiery ring, or annulus, around the moon.

This article was amended on 11 October 2023 to correct the number of annular eclipses astronomer Richard Rand has experienced. He has seen two and this one will be his third.