Your Guide to Oregon’s Annular Solar Eclipse on October 14

Total solar eclipse by Drew Rae

A ring of fire is traveling directly over Oregon this October. Here’s your guide to making the most of the upcoming annular solar eclipse. 

It’s been 11 years since the last annular eclipse in Oregon and the next one won’t happen until 2077. It is definitely a bucket-list-worthy event you won’t want to miss. 

Here’s what you need to know about this natural phenomenon. I’ve gathered information about the upcoming eclipse along with how to safely see an eclipse and the best spots in the state to view it. 

Looking for more incredible phenomena in Oregon? Don’t miss Swift Watch at Chapman Elementary School and 8 Salmon Spawning Locations Near Portland.

2023 Oregon Annular Solar Eclipse

On October 14, the Moon will pass in front of the Sun, creating an annular eclipse, or a ring of light around the Moon as it passes by. The eclipse will be visible within a 125-mile-wide path from Oregon to Texas and on into Mexico and northern South America. 

In Oregon, the full annular eclipse can be seen in the southwestern part of the state and the partial eclipse will be viewable to the rest of the Pacific Northwest.

In southwestern Oregon, the Moon will block nearly 89% of the Sun’s diameter along the center line of the eclipse’s path. The eclipse will last for about 2-and-a-half hours on Saturday morning. 

Eclipse Timeline

On October 14, the eclipse is viewable in the morning. Here is the timeline for the 2-and-a-half hour eclipse from the direct path in Eugene, Oregon, according to NASA: 

• Partial eclipse begins: 8:06 a.m.
• Annularity begins: 9:16 a.m.
• Maximum view: 9:18 a.m.
• Annularity ends: 9:20 a.m.
• Partial eclipse ends: 10:39 a.m. 

Plan for Travel and Weather

No matter where you are viewing from, seeing the annular eclipse in Oregon is weather dependent. You can watch the weather forecasts starting a week before eclipse day to judge whether you want to watch from home or head to an optimal viewing area in southwestern Oregon.

Wherever you go, try to remain flexible. Even in the sunniest locations, you don’t want to find yourself looking at clouds during the brief time when the annular eclipse is at its peak. So have a relocation plan in place and keep an eye on weather reports as October 14 approaches.

Secondly, try to find a location with good roads (if possible, away from the most popular spots where everyone–and their vehicles–will be). If clouds threaten, put your relocation plan in motion (literally!) and head to a second well-chosen viewing spot.

Finally, the general recommendation is to arrive 24-hours ahead of the eclipse (12 hours minimum) and secure your viewing spot. Since October sometimes lends itself to good camping weather in Oregon, you can avoid hotels (and hotel prices) and pack a tent or travel in a recreational vehicle to keep your options open.

The good news is Portlanders are a few hour’s drive from the optimal eclipse viewing areas. 

Here’s how you can keep yourself safe while viewing the Oregon solar eclipse.

Eclipse Safety Glasses

Unlike a total solar eclipse, no part of the annular eclipse should be viewed without special glasses.

The first thing to know when planning to view a solar eclipse is eye safety. Ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, as well as homemade filters are not safe for looking at the partially eclipsed (or uneclipsed) Sun.

During an annular eclipse, there is no time when it is safe to look directly at the Sun without using a special-purpose solar filter. A partial eclipse blocks some of the brightness making you think it is safe, yet is still as dangerous as trying to look directly at the Sun.

To look at any portion of the eclipse, you must use special “eclipse glasses” or hand-held solar viewers. To be safe, the viewer must meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard for these products. View the American Astronomical Society‘s guide to safe viewing and a list of suppliers. 

The OMSI store is selling eclipse glasses the day of the eclipse for $3 each.

Viewing the Eclipse in Portland

If you don’t plan on travel south for the Oregon solar eclipse, you’ll still see the the Moon cover 86% of the Sun’s diameter at 18 degrees above the southeastern horizon in Portland, according to Rose City Astronomers.

The timeline will be almost exactly that same even if you’re not in the path of the full annularity. The partial eclipse starts at 8:06 a.m. as the Moon makes its first contact with the Sun. The maximum eclipse occurs at 9:19 a.m. when the Moon covers 86% of the Sun. It will end at 10:39 a.m. as the Moon ends its path across the Sun.

View from your own backyard or head to one of these vantage points in the city. This eclipse is happening during peak fall foliage in Portland so no matter where you go you’ll be treated by beautiful views in all directions.

Keep in mind these locations will likely be crowded and parking may be difficult. Arrive early and have a backup plan.

Here are some locations to consider for your solar eclipse viewing:

Washington Park

Located just West of downtown, Washington Park is the keeper of Portland’s best attractions. One of the best views of the city is found at the International Rose Test Garden. 

The park is free to visit, but you will need to pay for parking. If you take transit, you can hop on the free shuttle, which will drop you off at the rose garden or another eclipse viewing location of your choice in the park. 

The Portland International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park is located at 400 SW Kingston Ave.

Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Look out onto the Willamette River as you await the annular eclipse. While you won’t be perched atop a hillside from this park, you’ll get a wide view of the sky complemented by our city’s bridges and waterway. There’s lots of space along the park’s sidewalks and grass to view the eclipse. 

Tom McCall is at 98 SW Naito Pkwy in Portland.

The Pittock Mansion

The Pittock Mansion has the best view of the city. It is also one of the best places to see Portland’s incredible fall foliage. My favorite way to get to the Pittock Mansion is by hiking the Lower Macleay Trail. You can make a whole morning out of your eclipse viewing by getting up early and taking the 5-mile out-and-back trail up to the Pittock Mansion. You can also drive and park at the mansion to reach the viewpoint.

Once there, you’ll have an ideal view of the city and the rising Sun from your eastern facing vantage point in front of the mansion.

The Pittock Mansion is located at 3229 NW Pittock Drive in Portland.

Council Crest Park

Council Crest is the highest point in Portland. On a clear day, you can see all five mountains and the entire city below you. There are sidewalks and some nice grassy areas you can claim as your spot to view the eclipse. 

The park is at SW Council Crest Drive in Portland.

Vista House

If you’re up for a short drive outside the city, head to the Columbia Gorge’s crown jewel, Vista House.

Located about 30 minutes outside Portland, Vista House sits atop Crown Point, which has nearly 365 degree views of the gorge standing 733 feet above the Columbia River. The parking lot does fill up fast so plan on getting there early and carpooling. 

Vista House is located at 40700 Historic Columbia River Hwy. in Corbett.

I’m currently looking for solar eclipse events in the Portland metro area. If you know of any local public events, send me an email.

Events in and around Portland

OMSI Annular Viewing Event

Join OMSI for the annular eclipse with eclipse-themed treats, space science activities and a special educator talk. Gather in the front plaza to see the eclipse or watch a livestream from cities along the eclipse’s direct path in the planetarium.

Here’s the Schedule: 

• 8:30 a.m. Planetarium livestream begins and Empirical Cafe opens.
• 9 a.m. Activities and educator talk on the front plaza
• 9:30 a.m. Full museum opens, including Staying Alive

Planetarium admission sis $7.50 per person. If you want to explore more of the museum, general admission is $19. Activities in the front plaza are free. 

Viewing in Southwestern Oregon

If you want to travel for the Oregon solar eclipse, start planning your trip as soon as possible. Plan to arrive at least 12 hours in advance of the eclipse, as roads will become clogged with traffic the closer we get to eclipse time. 

Viewers in the path of the eclipse’s center line in southwestern Oregon will see the Moon block nearly 89% of the Sun’s diameter. The annular eclipse is passing over the south-central Oregon Coast, Eugene, Roseburg, Crater Lake and the Alvord Desert.

On the Oregon Coast, the eclipse’s direct path stretches from Gleneden Beach all the way south to Langlois. The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and Shore Acres State Park (which is hosting a solar eclipse event) are two of the many notable viewing locations along this stretch of the coast. This area will be weather dependent, especially being prone to early morning fog and clouds. 

Eugene may be the most accessible point for Portlanders to travel for the eclipse. Take the stress out of the trip by booking a hotel room, a campsite or reaching out to friends or family in the area for a place to stay the night before. You can also take a trip further south to Roseburg.

Crater Lake sounds like an idyllic spot for the astronomical show. Keep in mind, campgrounds are closed at this point in the season. The park may also have snow, which could block some portions of the road around the lake. 

Southern Oregon offers the best climate in the state for viewing in October. If you can, consider traveling to Klamath Falls. The Steens Mountains Wilderness, near Alvord Desert, may have clearer skies, but will have a higher chance of winter weather conditions. 

Viewing Duration

You may want to choose locations where you can enjoy the eclipse for the longest duration. Here are the estimated viewing durations at prominent locations in Oregon, according to the Rose City Astronomers: 

• Oregon Coast (approx. North of Reedsport): 4 minutes and 29 seconds
• Crater Lake: 4 minutes and 24 seconds
• Eugene: 3 minutes and 54 seconds
• Klamath Falls: 3 minutes and 23 seconds

Whatever you do to see the Oregon solar eclipse, keep your options open, pack your eclipse glasses, and stay flexible.

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