Sunriver, Oregon is home to some spectacular scenery. Still, this year you get an added treat – and it has nothing to do with the landscape. The annular solar eclipse will be on display on October 14th. If you or your family haven’t seen an annular eclipse before, this is their chance to see it first-hand while surrounded by some of the best topography and activities Central Oregon has to offer.
What is the Annular Solar Eclipse?
An eclipse is when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, blocking the sun’s rays from reaching the planet. The moon can completely hide the sun, referred to as a total eclipse, or pass over a section of the sun, known as a partial eclipse. A third type of eclipse is similar to a total eclipse but slightly different. An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon is so far from Earth that it is too small to block the sun entirely, resulting in a bright ring around the moon’s edge where it peeks through. This ring is called the “ring of fire.”
When Is the Annular Solar Eclipse?
The eclipse will be viewable in Oregon on October 14th, starting at 8:05 a.m. It will last a total of 2 hours and 36 minutes. It will reach annularity at 9:19 a.m. and last 1 minute and 38 seconds.
To understand how the annularity will look in Sunriver, click here.
Why View the Eclipse in Sunriver, Oregon?
The annularity will pass over Sunriver but will not be fully visible in Bend, making Sunriver a terrific place to view it in Central Oregon. Sunriver is also an ideal spot for viewing sky events day or night. The observatory and the Oregon Chapter of the International Dark Sky Association recently announced Sunriver as the newest addition to the IDA International Dark Sky Places Program. The town is listed as a Dark Sky Friendly Development of Distinction – the first location in Oregon and one of 142 locations worldwide.
Where to View the Annular Solar Eclipse
The eclipse will be impossible to miss outdoors, but viewing an eclipse is not as simple as looking up at the sky. The brightness of the light can seriously damage your retinas unless you take proper precautions. This is true during the entire 2 hours and 36-minute show, including the “ring of fire” stage.
The Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory will host a special event from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. They will provide protective eyewear for all attendees, have various telescopes ready, and have staff astronomers on hand to educate visitors on the sun and guide everyone through the eclipse.
Other Things to Do in Sunriver in October
October is a terrific time to be in Sunriver because it is cooler than summer. There are outdoor activities for the entire family, including swimming, biking, boating, fishing, and indulging in expert golf courses. For more about fall activities, click here. If you have the time, you can also stay there until the end of the month to experience Halloween. Sunriver hosts events celebrating the spookiest time of year. Even if you need to cut the visit short, the town is also family-friendly, which makes it a great place to take the entire family.
Other Ways to View the Annular Solar Eclipse
Here are some tips for viewing the eclipse on your own.
Wear approved eye protection: Don’t look at the eclipse at any point with your naked eye or through sunglasses, color film, X-ray film, or smoky glass filters. Only use eclipse glasses rated as ISO 12312-2, and purchase them from reliable vendors. Some fake glasses exist that state they are ISO-certified or CE certified. Look specifically for those rated as ISO 12312-2.
Make a pinhole projector: You may have learned this solution in elementary school. You will need two sheets of material, such as cardboard, paper plates, or printer paper. Use a pin or needle to create a hole in one of the two sheets and place it between the sun and your second sheet. The sunlight will pass through the hole in the first sheet, and as the moon moves in front of the sun, it will cast a shadow in front of the sunlight. The further away you place your second sheet, the larger the sun will be for easier viewing.
Make an eclipse projector: This works the same as the two sheets, but you are wearing a rectangular box like a helmet in this case. Cut a hole in the bottom of the box to fit your head and tape a white piece of paper on an inner wall you will face. (Position the rectangular box so the wall is furthest away from you.) On the opposite side of the box (behind your head), cut out a small, rectangular piece of the box in the upper center of that side so that the sun’s light will pass over your head and onto the white sheet of paper. Tape a piece of aluminum foil over that section and prick the aluminum to create the hole where the light will pass through.
This option is excellent for blocking out other light around you for a bright look at the eclipse. The box can be as large as you like, allowing for more than one person’s head at a time. The longer the box is, the bigger the image.
Create a telescope projector or binocular projector: Don’t look directly through the telescope or binoculars. Instead, use them to cast the light onto another surface, such as a piece of paper. All you need is a tripod to hold the telescope or binoculars still. You will need to cover up one of the two lenses of the binoculars.
Cascara is Here to Help
Cascara offers vacation home rentals throughout the Sunriver area to make your stay in Sunriver as cozy as possible. Many also come with a Hot Tub, SHARC pool access, and all include free Xplorie amenities such as entry to High Desert Museum, time at the local arcade and more. Www.xplorie.com/fun/Cascara Sunriver is a terrific location to catch the eclipse with a warm cup of coffee in hand. To learn more about our vacation rentals, click here.
