There are plenty of reasons to plan a visit to Torrey hotels in the fall. There’s fruit picking in Fruita, changing leaves in Capitol Reef, and cooler temperatures as you stroll around the stunning property at Cougar Ridge. But this year, there’s another reason to plan a visit.
On October 14, 2023, our Utah villas will be directly in the path of an annular solar eclipse. This is a great chance to not only view an incredible solar event, but also combine it with a fun fall getaway to Southern Utah.
Keep reading to learn more about this solar event, what to know to view it, and how to plan your stay at Torrey hotels.
What is an Annular Solar Eclipse?
Before we dive into what you need to know to view the upcoming eclipse from Torrey hotels, we need to explain what to expect of this unique event.
While most people know what a solar eclipse is, you might not have heard of an annular solar eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs every time that the moon’s path between the sun and earth is perfectly aligned, causing the moon to block all or a portion of the sun’s light.
With an annular solar eclipse, the sun is never completely blocked by the moon. Instead, because the moon is lining up between the sun and the earth while it is at its furthest point away from the earth, it appears too small to cover the sun. As a result, a ring of light, often called the “ring of fire” occurs around the edges of the moon. The term “annular” comes from the Latin word for ring, which is “annulus.”
Although annular solar eclipses occur every one to two years, they cover a small swath of the earth each time, which means that only a small population in the area is able to see them. The last annular solar eclipse to be visible in the U.S. occurred on May 20 and 21, 2012, and actually crossed in nearly the same path across Utah as the upcoming eclipse.
When Will the 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse Occur?
An annular solar eclipse is set to take place in the Western United States on October 14, 2023. The eclipse will first be visible in the U.S. when it crosses mid- and Southern Oregon. From there, it will cross the Northern half of Nevada, before entering Southern Utah, and crossing straight through Torrey, Utah. From there, it will pass through the middle of New Mexico and the Southern half of Texas, before continuing over the Gulf of Mexico.
The 2023 annular solar eclipse begins in the U.S. on the coast of Oregon at 9: 13 AM CST. In Torrey, Utah, the moon will begin to move into position at 9:09 AM MT and reach its peak at 10:29 AM MT. It will then move away from the sun at 11:58 AM MT.
Safe Viewing Tips
During a total solar eclipse, it is safe to view the sun and moon without eye protection while the sun’s light is completely blocked by the moon. But that never occurs during an annular solar eclipse. Because the “ring of fire” is visible at the height of the annular solar eclipse, it’s never safe to look directly at the sun without eye protection during this eclipse.
To protect your eyes from dangerous UV rays while viewing the annular eclipse, you’ll need specialized eye protection. Regular sunglasses, including polarized or prescription sunglasses, no matter how dark, do not provide protection for viewing the sun. Instead, you can purchase solar eclipse viewing classes or safe solar viewers online or from many retailers in the path of the eclipse. These are thousands of times darker than regular sunglasses and are the best way to protect your eyes from the damaging rays.
While viewing the eclipse, only look toward the moon and sun while your eyes are protected by the solar eclipse viewer or solar eclipse glasses. Never look at the sun using a camera lens, binoculars, or telescope.
Viewing the Upcoming Annular Solar Eclipse From Torrey Hotels
If you’re hoping to view this incredible solar event, Torrey hotels are the best place to do so. With the middle of the path of the annular solar eclipse passing almost directly over Capitol Reef National Park, Utah luxury resorts near the park are a great spot to stay to view it.
You won’t even need to head into the national park to view the eclipse! The park is likely to see higher than usual crowds on October 14, 2023, so choosing Torrey hotels where you can view the eclipse comfortably without leaving is a great way to avoid the crowds and traffic.
When looking for the best places to stay in Capitol Reef National Park, look for resorts that offer plenty of open space for viewing the eclipse—like Cougar Ridge! Our Utah villas and spacious property offer plenty of spots to view the eclipse.
Planning Your October Visit to Torrey Hotels
If you’re hoping to view the upcoming annular solar eclipse for yourself this October, staying in Torrey hotels is a great choice. You’ll be directly in the path of the eclipse, which means not having to fight traffic or meet a deadline to drive into the path of the eclipse. Plus, you can spend the rest of your visit to Cougar Ridge enjoying all that the area has to offer in the fall.
To start planning your own visit to our Utah villas for teh eclipse, book your stay at Cougar Ridge today!