Oregon businesses hope the 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse will boost post-pandemic tourism. The “ring of fire” event will be visible on the Oregon coast at 9:13 a.m. PDT ending at 12:03 p.m. CDT in Texas on Saturday, October 14.
People are traveling to southern Oregon to witness the full Annular Solar Eclipse. This is the prime location for viewing. NASA reports the entire experience starts at 8:06 a.m. when the partial eclipse begins. The maximum annularity will happen at 9:18 a.m., with the partial eclipse ending at 10:39 a.m.
The Annular Solar Eclipse differs from the 2017 total solar eclipse, when the moon covered the entire face of the sun.
The sun will appear slightly larger than the moon during this eclipse, creating a light ring that astronomers call a ring of fire.
OPB reports that the eclipse’s Oregon “path starts above Florence and Coos Bay, then moves southeast over Yoncalla, Roseburg, Chiloquin, and Lakeview.”
However, “the 160-mile-wide shadow will be seem from Corvallis to Medford and Newport to Lakeview,” OPB continued. “Hundreds of thousands of Oregonians, including people in Klamath Falls,, should be able to see at least a partial eclipse.”
Oregon’s tourism industry experienced a 50% decrease during the pandemic. Businesses are hopeful the expected crowds will infuse Klamath Falls, Eugene, and surrounding communities with much-needed revenue.
OPB shared an interview with Ty Kliewer, a cattleman and part-time brewer.
Kliewer’s company, Skyline Brewing, is located near Klamath Falls. “It’s a small and unassuming brewery, but it’s also generated a loyal following because of Kliewer’s unusual flavors,” explains Kristian Foden-Vencil for OPB.
One of his notable brews is Breast Cancer Sucks, which is a pink, raspberry wheat beer. Another is his orange Creamsicle-flavored pale ale.
“For the upcoming solar eclipse, Kliewer is planning something he wants to call Blackout” in honor of the Annular Solar Eclipse.
He told OPB, “We haven’t actually made it yet.” Kliewer is considering crafting the Blackout brew similar to a German Schwarzbier.
Oregon Annular Solar Eclipse Events
In Klamath County, Kliewer’s eclipse-themed brew will debut at EclipseFest23 (October 10-15). The festival includes camping, vendors, and artisans. Food and beverages will be available during the six-day event.
Smash Mouth is scheduled to perform. Organizers are counting on eclipse chasers, also known as umbraphiles.
EclipseFest23 is situated 20 miles from Crater Lake National Park with unobstructed eclipse viewing. Sara Irvine, a local designer and festival organizer, told OPB, “It’s going to be great.”
Irvine believes the Klamath Falls basin will be one of the best places to watch the Annular Solar Eclipse since the region is directly in the path NASA predicts.
She noted that Oregonians on the coast would be the first to see the eclipse, but mornings on the coast are often overcast. On the contrary, “Klamath Falls gets 300 days of sunshine a year.”
She told OPB that the festival is located a few miles away from Crater Lake National Park, which has been marketed as one of the best locations to watch the eclipse. “Crater Lake can only fit so many people in the park at one time, and all of the accommodations around Crater Lake had been booked for at least a year.”
EclipseFest23 hopes to provide camping and RV parking for the overflow of Umbraphiles and others at Fort Klamath. The field should be able to accommodate 3,000 people.
Umbraphiles Look Foward to Annular Solar Eclipses
Umbraphiles are people who travel the world to see the darkened sun. They spend thousands of dollars to satisfy their obsession. Bill Kramer was just a boy when he witnessed his first partial solar eclipse. The experience was only the beginning of the budding astronomy buff.
He told Atlas Observer’s Andy Wright, “I’ve seen 15 total eclipses.” Kramer works as a freelance computer programmer. His website, Eclipse-Chasers.com, where he discusses the intriguing phenomenon and organizes viewing expeditions.
According to NASA, the “eclipse will cross North, Central, and South America. It will be visible in parts of the United States, Mexico, and many countries in South and Central America.” Click here to see NASA’s Annual Solar Eclipse maps and times.
REMINDER: Always wear eclipse glasses or use an alternate indirect method when facing the sun.
Written by Cathy Milne-Ware
Sources:
NASA: 2023 Annular Eclipse: Where & When
Travel Oregon: 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse; By Allie Gardner
OPB: Oregon business owners hope eclipse helps boost post-pandemic tourism recovery; By Kristian Foden-Vencil
Atlas Obscura: Chasing Totality: A Look Into the World of Umbraphiles; By Andy Wright
Featured and Top Image by Isaiah McClean Courtesy of Unsplash
First Inset Image by Jongsun Lee Courtesy of Unsplash
Second Inset Image by Adam Smith Courtesy of Unsplash
Third Inset Image by Adam Smith Courtesy of Unsplash
