10 Places To Watch Saturday’s Partial Solar Eclipse Across The U.S.

This Saturday, October 14, a solar eclipse will be seen across the Americas. From inside a 125 miles wide path stretching across the U.S. Southwest and on to Central and South America, a “ring of fire” will be glimpsed for a few minutes as a smaller-looking new moon covers only the middle 90% of the sun.

In the U.S. the “lucky” states comprise Oregon, California, (a tiny slither of) Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. From everywhere outside of that path—including in those states, but also across the rest of the country—a partial solar eclipse will be seen.

For those in the northeastern U.S. the eclipse will be slight, while those in western states will see much more of the sun disappear behind the sun.

Location Is Everything

Precisely what will occur, and when, will depend on your exact location. You can find out the exact time for any location using the “eclipse lookup” option here. It will show you exactly when the eclipse will start and finish as well as how much of the sun will be blocked at the peak of the event. Here’s a sample:

• New York: 23% at 1:22 p.m. EDT
• Philadelphia: 25% at 1:21 p.m. EDT
• Chicago: 43% at 11:58 a.m. CDT
• Houston: 85% at 11:58 a.m. CDT
• Los Angeles: 71% at 9:24 a.m. PDT

Everyone will need to use solar eclipse glasses, which cost $5 each at most. Most if not all, eclipse-viewing events will be selling solar eclipse glasses for a few dollars.

A great resource for finding partial solar eclipse viewing events is National Eclipse, which has compiled a list of many dozens.

Here are 10 events around the U.S. that will be hosting a special partial solar eclipse viewing party, many of them with solar telescopes and live streams from the path of the “ring of fire:”

1. SIU Saluki Stadium, Illinois (54%)

Carbondale, Illinois was in the path of totality for 2017’s “Great American Eclipse” and will be again on April 8. As a warm-up there’s a viewing event for this partial solar eclipse, with SIU Carbondale presenting a Saluki Football game watch party directly following. Expect solar telescopes and live feeds from across the nation. More information.

2. Fairfax County, Virginia (42%)

Sully Historic Site, Burke Lake Park in Fairfax County, Virginia will host a NASA-affiliated viewing event from 12:00 p.m. EDT. Naturalist and sun-spotting telescopes will feature. Bring your own chairs. The nearby Turner Farm’s roll-top observatory will give visitors a glimpse of the eclipse up close through solar telescopes—and that means awesome views of sunspots. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. More information (and sign-up) and event updates.

3. Jenny Jump State Forest, New Jersey (24%)

The United Astronomy Clubs of New Jersey will host a free public viewing of the eclipse at its observatory in Jenny Jump State Forest, with digital cameras attached to some of its solar telescopes to provide a live view of the eclipse. More information.

4. Rochester Museum & Science Center, New York (25%)

One of the most organized locations for April 8’s total solar eclipse is Rochester, which has plenty of partial solar eclipse events planned for October 14, no doubt as a warm-up to the city’s big day. Telescopes with solar filters and other methods to observe the eclipse will be available to try for free. Livestreams of the “ring of fire” will be screened in the Planetarium. More information.

5. Rooftop Cinema Club Uptown, Houston (85%)

About two hours drive from the path of the “ring of fire” through Texas, this outdoor event at the Rooftop Cinema Club Uptown in Houston ($30) will feature eclipse-themed activities, refreshments and music from the Lizzerds. It’s sponsored by The Alcon Foundation and Prevent Blindness Texas, so expect solar eclipse glasses. More information.

6. Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, Miami (58%)

Solar telescope viewing, hands-on activities, live science shows and a unique eclipse-themed Frost Planetarium show is promised for the Frost Museum of Science’s Science Plaza ($32.95 adults/$24.95 youth). More information.

7. Frosty Drew Observatory & Science Center, Rhode Island (19%)

This event in Charlestown, Rhode Island ($5) will feature views through solar telescopes in both white light and hydrogen alpha for views of sunspots, prominences and filaments on the sun as it’s eclipsed. Each ticket will come with a pair of eclipse glasses. More information.

8. Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, Utah (90%)

Canyon Country in Utah is split in two by the northern boundary of the path of the “ring of fire,” with (some of) Canyonlands National Park seeing the ring (Grand View Point is where to head for) and Arches National Park missing out—though Arches still has big plans. Arches requires timed tickets purchased in advance while Canyonlands is destined to be very busy.

9. Fleischmann Planetarium, Nevada (85%)

If you’re going to get as close to the path of the “ring of fire” as Reno, Nevada then you should really consider driving another 120 miles or so. If that’s not an option then the Fleischmann Planetarium will be staging a public viewing event.

10. Hutchings Museum Institute, Utah (88%)

Another location for a partial eclipse viewing event is Hutchings Museum Institute in Lehi, Utah, which is also relatively close to the path of the “ring of fire.” Expect free eclipse glasses, solar science kits and activities with Starnet Libraries and NASA Science. More information.

I’m an expert on eclipses—the editor of WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com and author of The Complete Guide To The Great North American Eclipse of April 8, 2024. For the very latest on the “ring of fire” solar eclipse—including travel and lodging options—check my main feed for new articles each day.

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.

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