A partial solar eclipse of the sun, the first stage of a rare “ring of fire” eclipse, began to emerge Saturday morning.
This 220-mile-wide path covered an area from Oregon to Texas.
The moon passed partially in front of the sun which obscured 52% of the sun viewed from Jacksonville.
Everyone in the contiguous 48 states had the opportunity to see at least a partial eclipse but the best show was 850 miles west of Duval County along the path of annularity where the moon blocks the center of the sun leaving just a sliver of the sun peaking out in a ring of fire.
Related: Grab your glasses! UNF to host solar eclipse viewing party Saturday | Jacksonville University, NEFAS to host solar eclipse viewing party at Amphitheater Saturday
We will not get to see the full impact but the view will have partial sun blockage. NASA Ambassador Tony Rice gives us the best times to see the eclipse in Jacksonville.
Partial eclipse begins: 11:50:28 AM
Maximum eclipse: 1:22:36 PM when the Sun will be 52.5% obscured by the Moon
Partial eclipse end: 2:57:23 PM (3 hrs 6 min, 55 sec)
Depending on where you are located, the starting times vary about 4-5 minutes between Waycross and St. Augustine but you can look at this Interactive Map to get precise times for your area.
For example, the partial eclipse begins at 11:48:17 AM in Five Points, FL to 11:51:44 AM in Crescent Beach, FL.
Always remember it is never safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for viewing an annular eclipse.
The University of North Florida Physics Department and Astronomy Club invites the community to a free viewing of the partial solar eclipse on Saturday. Click here for more information.