Local Circumstances Calculator ASE2012>

Annular solar eclipse visible across the Pacific from the coast of China to the southwestern USA. The odd date for this eclipse results from the fact that it starts on the other side of the International Date Line. When the eclipse starts, it will be the 21st of May for the local time zones. As the eclipse progresses it passes over the date line headed eastward. This annular eclipse will be visible in the late afternoon in the USA on the 20th (local date/time). As the eclipse path meets the coast the sun will only be about 20-30 degrees above the horizon (30 degrees at the start of the partial phase, just over 20 during the annular phase).

Commentary: The normal "rule of thumb" in eclipse chasing is that a total solar eclipse is worth any and all effort to see, no matter where it is in the world. An annular eclipse is worth driving or taking a short flight to see. A partial is worth looking at. Annular eclipses, so named because of the ring shape of the sun, are fun to watch however they lack the complete transformation seen during a total solar eclipse. If you live in the western part of the USA it is worth taking a look to see if you can get to the central line. A very fine tool for locating possible viewing points is available at the NASA ASE 2012 eclipse web site.