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Coming Soon - Annular Solar Eclipse
Credit: Hinode/XRT
On May 20, 2012, an annular solar eclipse of the sun will occur when the moon will block about 94 percent of the sun.
This view from Japan's Hinode spacecraft shows an example of an annular solar eclipse. This was taken during the solar eclipse of Jan. 4, 2011.
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Annular Solar Eclipse Track: May 20, 2012
Credit: Fred Espenak, NASA/GSFC
This NASA graphic depicts the path of best viewing for the annular solar eclipse of May 20, 2012. For some observers in East Asia, the solar eclipse begins on May 21, 2012.
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Annular Solar Eclipse of May 20, 2012, Map
Credit: StarDate (sancho_panza/Wikipedia)
This map shows the path of 'annularity,' with maximum eclipse (p.m., local time) for sites along the path. Areas outside the path of annularity will see a partial eclipse.
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Annular Solar Eclipse, May 20, 2012: U.S. Visibility
Credit: NASA/JPL, Jane Houston Jones
This NASA graphic of the United States depicts the path of the annular solar eclipse of May 20, 2012, when the moon will cover about 94 percent of the sun's surface as seen from Earth.
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Annular Solar Eclipse Track: May 20, 2012
Credit: NASA/JPL, Jane Houston Jones
This NASA graphic of the western United States depicts the path of the annular solar eclipse of May 20, 2012, when the moon will cover about 94 percent of the sun's surface as seen from Earth.
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Skywatching Spots for Solar Eclipse
Credit: Starry Night Software.
This sky map depicts the location of the sun and moon in the daytime sky during the annular solar eclipse of May 20, 2012 as viewed from North America. An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon does not completely obscure the sun, leaving a bright ring around the moon's disk.
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Guide to Solar Eclipses (Infographic)
Credit: Karl Tate, SPACE.com Contributor
How Solar Eclipses Work: When the moon covers up the sun, skywatchers delight in the opportunity to see a rare spectacle.
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How to Look at a Solar Eclipse Without Going Blind (Infographic)
Credit: Karl Tate, SPACE.com Contributor
You should never look directly at the sun, but there are ways to safely observe an eclipse.
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Solar Eclipse View Chart
Credit: Geoff Gaherty/Starry Night Software/SPACE.com
This chart notes the cities and times to view the annular solar eclipse of May, 20-21, 2012.
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Annular Solar Eclipse: May 20, 2012 U.S. Ground Track
Credit: NASA/GSFC/Fred Espenak
This chart shows the path of the May 20, 2012 annular solar eclipse across the western and southern United States. Major cities are listed inside the boundaries of the solar eclipse visibilty path.
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Annular Solar Eclipse: May 20, 2012 Ground Track
Credit: NASA/GSFC/Fred Espenak
This chart prepared by NASA solar eclipse expert Fred Espenak details the path of the May 20-21 annular solar eclipse of 2012 across the Earth.
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Solar Eclipse, May 10, 1994
As the solar eclipse on May 20, 2012, progresses, its partial and annular phases will look very similar to this eclipse on May 10, 1994
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May 20, 2012, Annular Solar Eclipse Map
Nearly all North America gets at least a partial eclipse on May 20th, with the Moon taking a big bite out of the Sun. The eclipse will still be in progress at sunset for much of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
