<p>How does the experience of an annular solar eclipse compare to a total solar eclipse? In particular, what does it look like to take a glimpse of an annular solar eclipse with the naked eye? How dark does the ambient light in the enviornment become compared to a total eclipse? I have personally seen a total solar eclipse, and I was impressed by how dark the environment became and how the sun appeared. Does an annular solar eclipse have similar features?</p>
<p>EDIT: Thanks for the input so far, everyone. The related question, <a href="https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/36629/will-just-a-glimpse-less-than-a-second-of-sun-during-partial-solar-eclipse-dam">Will just a glimpse (less than a second) of sun during partial solar eclipse damage eyes?</a>, is good to know, but not quiet the same question I am asking. I've edited my question for greater clarity. @notovny's comment answers my question. It seems that the moon cannot be discerned with the naked eye (when quickly glimpsed). Nor is the darkening of the ambient outdoor light as impressive as a total solar eclipse.</p>
<p>I saw the '17 total eclipse and was awed. I had been expecting the same experience for the '23 eclipse, but just recently realized that an annular eclipse is not the same as a total eclipse. I was curious how much I needed to temper my expectations. Sounds like I should not be expecting the same level of awe.</p>
<p>Safety note: I understand it is very dangerous to stare at an annular eclipse with the naked eye. I intend to only glimpse the sun for a moment. I have purchased special solar eclipse viewing glasses for prolonged viewing.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-01-10T21:29:36.170Z
I saw the May 10, '94 Annular Eclipse, at near the point of greatest eclipse.  I recall the light getting pretty silvery outdoors, but still fairly bright. I don't recall being able to discern the Moon in front of the sun by the naked eye, and made my inspections of the sun through the ludicrously unsafe method of  looking through a household frisbee.
notovny
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-01-10T21:42:02.990Z
Even with a total solar eclipse the Sun goes from black to too bright to look at in a matter of seconds.  You will need eclipse glasses to view it at all.
Greg Miller
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-01-11T00:08:52.990Z
@GregMiller I have to ask, have you actually ever seen a solar eclipse? Based on your comment it seems you haven’t, they can last for many minutes
Topcode
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-01-11T04:34:56.833Z
@Topcode, I got to see the Aug 2017 eclipse.  Totality lasted for over two minutes, but as soon as totality was over, it quickly became too bright to look at.
Greg Miller
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-01-11T05:26:11.693Z
@notovny For '94 I got a #14 welding shade. The shop had a few left over from the last eclipse - too dark for welding!
Mike G
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-01-11T06:34:58.847Z
Welding shades are not recommended. Get proper eclipse glasses which block heat radiation properly
planetmaker
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-01-11T13:34:56.197Z
Does this answer your question? [Will just a glimpse (less than a second) of sun during partial solar eclipse damage eyes?](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/36629/will-just-a-glimpse-less-than-a-second-of-sun-during-partial-solar-eclipse-dam)
David Hammen
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-01-11T13:43:04.767Z
Also closely related, [Is it safe to look at an annular eclipse during sunrise?](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/44281), which has marked as a duplicate.
David Hammen
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-01-11T13:48:46.773Z
The general advice is not to use the naked eye to view a solar eclipse except during totality, and even then one needs to take care and don the special viewing equipment prior to the Sun coming out of totality as the few minutes of darkness are enough to make your pupils dilate.
David Hammen
<solar-eclipse><naked-eye>
What does it look like to view an annular solar eclipse with the naked eye?
Jack Daus
# What does it look like to view an annular solar eclipse with the naked eye?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2023-01-10)

How does the experience of an annular solar eclipse compare to a total solar eclipse? In particular, what does it look like to take a glimpse of an annular solar eclipse with the naked eye? How dark does the ambient light in the enviornment become compared to a total eclipse? I have personally seen a total solar eclipse, and I was impressed by how dark the environment became and how the sun appeared. Does an annular solar eclipse have similar features?

EDIT: Thanks for the input so far, everyone. The related question, [Will just a glimpse (less than a second) of sun during partial solar eclipse damage eyes?](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/36629/will-just-a-glimpse-less-than-a-second-of-sun-during-partial-solar-eclipse-dam), is good to know, but not quiet the same question I am asking. I've edited my question for greater clarity. @notovny's comment answers my question. It seems that the moon cannot be discerned with the naked eye (when quickly glimpsed). Nor is the darkening of the ambient outdoor light as impressive as a total solar eclipse.

I saw the '17 total eclipse and was awed. I had been expecting the same experience for the '23 eclipse, but just recently realized that an annular eclipse is not the same as a total eclipse. I was curious how much I needed to temper my expectations. Sounds like I should not be expecting the same level of awe.

Safety note: I understand it is very dangerous to stare at an annular eclipse with the naked eye. I intend to only glimpse the sun for a moment. I have purchased special solar eclipse viewing glasses for prolonged viewing.

**Tags:** solar-eclipse, naked-eye
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I saw the May 10, '94 Annular Eclipse, at near the point of greatest eclipse.  I recall the light getting pretty silvery outdoors, but still fairly bright. I don't recall being able to discern the Moon in front of the sun by the naked eye, and made my inspections of the sun through the ludicrously unsafe method of  looking through a household frisbee.  
> **username_2**: Even with a total solar eclipse the Sun goes from black to too bright to look at in a matter of seconds.  You will need eclipse glasses to view it at all.  
> **username_3**: @GregMiller I have to ask, have you actually ever seen a solar eclipse? Based on your comment it seems you haven’t, they can last for many minutes  
> **username_2**: @Topcode, I got to see the Aug 2017 eclipse.  Totality lasted for over two minutes, but as soon as totality was over, it quickly became too bright to look at.  
> **username_4**: @notovny For '94 I got a #14 welding shade. The shop had a few left over from the last eclipse - too dark for welding!  
> **username_5**: Welding shades are not recommended. Get proper eclipse glasses which block heat radiation properly  
> **username_6**: Does this answer your question? [Will just a glimpse (less than a second) of sun during partial solar eclipse damage eyes?](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/36629/will-just-a-glimpse-less-than-a-second-of-sun-during-partial-solar-eclipse-dam)  
> **username_6**: Also closely related, [Is it safe to look at an annular eclipse during sunrise?](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/44281), which has marked as a duplicate.  
> **username_6**: The general advice is not to use the naked eye to view a solar eclipse except during totality, and even then one needs to take care and don the special viewing equipment prior to the Sun coming out of totality as the few minutes of darkness are enough to make your pupils dilate.  

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