A solar eclipse, also called the “Ring of Fire,” is expected to be visible in the sky next week and won’t be seen again until 2039. According to NASA, a solar eclipse happens when the moon’s orbit is between the Earth and the sun. However, it doesn’t entirely block the sun like a lunar eclipse.
Meanwhile, the “ring of fire” effect in the sky happens since the moon is further away from the Earth than usual and looks smaller than the sun. French eclipse expert Xavier Jubier created an interactive map showing the eclipse’s entire path as it moves around the Earth. Additionally, Space.com posted a list of well-known cities and locations where people can see the “ring of fire” solar eclipse and the time and duration of the event.
CBN News reported the path of the eclipse will travel across eight states, starting in Oregon, followed by California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. If people aren’t in the solar eclipse path, they can still see a partial eclipse. For anyone unable to see the “ring of fire” in person, NASA will have a livestream available online for anyone to view. According to Reuters, experts warn that looking directly at the sun is harmful unless one is wearing specialized eye protection designed for solar viewing. That also includes during a solar eclipse since the moon does not entirely block the sun.
Experts and several doctors recommend using safe solar viewing glasses or a safe handheld solar viewer when viewing the cosmic event. Regular sunglasses, however, are unsafe when viewing the sun. Another recommendation for watching the event in the sky is to use a special-purpose solar filter if watching the eclipse through a camera lens, binoculars, or telescope to prevent eye damage.
Per the Farmer’s Almanac, the “ring of fire” will take Oct. 14 and will not be seen again in the U.S. until 2039. Meanwhile, the next annular solar eclipse visible from the U.S. will occur on June 21, 2039, but it will only be visible in Alaska and Northwest Canada. The Bible also has more to say about celestial events in general, beyond solar eclipses. The scriptures talk about signs in the heavens several times, primarily related to the moon and sun.
In Luke 21:25-28, Jesus says, “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now, when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near.”
Psalms 19:1 says more broadly, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”