![The "Ring of Fire" Eclipse will be visible in various portions of the United States on Saturday. (Photo/Smithsonian)](/images/2022/5649_annular.webp)
- Details
- By Levi Rickert
Weather permitting, millions of people in the United States will be able to witness a solar eclipse on Saturday. The eclipse that will occur on Saturday is called an “annular solar eclipse,” which happens when the moon passes in front of the sun. This eclipse will look like a ring of fire.
The U.S. space agency NASA says the path in the United States where the maximum views will occur on Saturday runs through portions of several states beginning at 9:13 am - PDT in Oregon, then California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. People living in other parts of North America will be able to see less obscuring of the sun, but still impressive to see the eclipse.
Eclipses evoke different beliefs among Native American tribes. For instance, among the Navajo ( Diné), the eclipse is a powerful astronomical event that shouldn’t be viewed out of respect.
The Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation decided to close its Navajo tribal parks, including the Monument Valley and the Four Corners Monument, from 8 am - 1 pm out of respect of the solar eclipse. Louise Tsimijinnie, a media representative, told the Navajo Times the park’s closure is due to Diné tradition.
Tsinijinnie said as she was raised, she was taught to be respectful during a solar eclipse. She was taught that the eclipse is not for viewing nor something for Diné to see.
Ahead of the eclipse, the City of Albuquerque’s Indian Affairs released a statement recognizing Indigenous people will not be participating in public celebrations of eclipse.
Other tribes have similar beliefs about eclipses:
During eclipses, many Cherokees go outside and make noise to scare away the giant frog trying to eat the sun.
The Ho-Chunk in Wisconsin believes eclipses, both sun and moon eclipses, are to be respected because the time during eclipses is a time of transformation.
The Hopi in Arizona believe the time during an eclipse it a time to pray and a time for ceremony, such as a time to present traditional sacred names.
Regardless of your belief system, experts warn it is unsafe to look directly at an eclipse without some specialized eye protection due to the brightness of the sun. Without using a special-purpose solar filter when viewing an eclipse can cause severe eye injury, according to experts.
More Stories Like This
San Carlos Apache 22-Year-Old Man Arrested for Setting Fire on Reservation That Destroyed 21 HousesNational Native American Hall of Fame Appoints E. Sequoyah Simermeyer to Board of Directors
State of Michigan to Provide $1.25 Million to Ste. Marie Tribe for Its Homeless Shelter
Vice President Harris Campaigns in Milwaukee for First Rally
Another Option for VP: Interior Secretary Deb Haaland
Join us in observing 100 years of Native American citizenship. On June 2, 1924, President Calvin Coolidge signed the Indian Citizenship Act, granting Native Americans US citizenship, a pivotal moment in their quest for equality. This year marks its centennial, inspiring our special project, "Heritage Unbound: Native American Citizenship at 100," observing their journey with stories of resilience, struggle, and triumph. Your donations fuel initiatives like these, ensuring our coverage and projects honoring Native American heritage thrive. Your donations fuel initiatives like these, ensuring our coverage and projects honoring Native American heritage thrive.