At Utah Luxury Tours, we’re always looking for new ways to help our guests explore some of the West’s most incredible outdoor destinations. One of our most unique national park tours is set to commence this fall—and may just be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
In October 2023, we’ll be hosting two tours to view the upcoming annular solar eclipse as it crosses Northern Nevada and Southern Utah. Thinking about joining this incredible tour? Keep reading to learn more!
What is the Annular Solar Eclipse?
While the term is often used more generally, there are actually several different types of solar eclipses. Each of the different types occurs when the sun, moon, and Earth line up, either partially or fully. How they align, and the degree to which they align, is what sets the different types of solar eclipses apart.
The most common type of solar eclipse is a partial solar eclipse. This type of eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth. However, with this type of eclipse, the three do not line up perfectly. As a result, only a portion of the sun will be covered, creating a crescent shape.
Perhaps the most famous type of eclipse is a total solar eclipse. As the name suggests, this type of eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun. If you’re lucky enough to be located within the path of a direct total solar eclipse, you’ll experience darkness as if it is the middle of the night, as well as the sun’s corona, the outer atmosphere that circles the sun.
A lesser-known type of eclipse is the annual solar eclipse. This type of eclipse occurs when the moon is near or at its farthest point from Earth when it passes between the sun and the Earth. Because the moon is farther away from Earth than during a total solar eclipse, it doesn’t fully cover the sun. The moon appears as a dark disk layered on top of the bright sun. This creates what is sometimes referred to as a “ring of fire” around the moon.
When is the 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse?
Annular solar eclipses occur about once every one or two years. However, because they can occur anywhere on Earth, having one occur near your location or a location that you can easily travel to is much rarer.
The next annular solar eclipse will occur on October 14, 2023. This eclipse will be visible to millions of people across the Western Hemisphere—including a direct path through Northern Nevada and Southern Utah.
The annular solar eclipse will pass over Utah starting at 10:24 a.m. MDT and will finish its journey across the state at 10:35 a.m. MDT. At its maximum, the annular solar eclipse will last four minutes and 40 seconds in Utah. There will also be around an hour and fifteen minutes of partial solar eclipse before and after the annular solar eclipse.
Safely Viewing an Annular Solar Eclipse
Looking directly at the sun without specialized eye protection can be very dangerous. It can cause a sunburn on your eye’s cornea, called solar keratosis. Long-term, it can even lead to spots on your vision caused by a hole burned in the retinal tissues.
With a little pre-planning and the right gear, it is safe and easy to view an annular solar eclipse. Solar viewing glasses or handheld solar viewers make it easy to view the eclipse while protecting your eyes.
During a total solar eclipse, there is a short period of time when it is safe to remove your eye protection to look directly at the eclipse. This is because the sun’s light is completely blocked by the moon. However, during an annular solar eclipse, the sun is never completely blocked by the sun. For this reason, it’s never safe to remove your eye protection while viewing an annular solar eclipse.
Utah Luxury Tours National Park Tours: Annual Solar Eclipse 2023
If you’re dreaming of seeing the 2023 annular solar eclipse, you’re in luck. Utah Luxury Tours will be offering two national park tours designed specifically for guests to view the eclipse.
Utah’s incredible landscapes will offer an incredible spot to view this natural phenomenon. Combine the stunning views with our luxury tour operations, and these national park tours are guaranteed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for you and your family. These tours will be shorter than many of our other Utah hiking trips, making it possible for more guests to enjoy this incredible experience.
Utah Luxury Tours will be offering two national park tours for the 2023 annular solar eclipse. The first will depart from Salt Lake City and include a tour of Moab and a viewing of the eclipse in Moab. The second will depart from Las Vegas and include a tour of St. George, Utah, Valley of Fire, and Great Basin, with eclipse viewing in Ely, Nevada. Both tours will depart on October 12, and return in the evening on October 14.
Like all of our Utah vacation packages, each trip will include roundtrip transportation to and from the airport, our luxury tour operations including lodging, tour guides, and more.
Booking the 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse Tours
If you’re dreaming of viewing the next annular solar eclipse in beautiful Utah or Nevada, don’t wait to book one of Utah Luxury Tours national park tours! These are likely to book far in advance, so book your tour today to guarantee your spot!
