Head to downtown Phoenix for a free annular solar eclipse viewing party for the upcoming spectacle.

Arizona Science Center, at 600 E. Washington St., will host the event on Saturday, Oct. 14.

From 7:45 a.m. to noon, the center will host the event to watch the eclipse safely with free eclipse glasses. There will also be an opportunity to learn the science behind the rare phenomenon, interactive tables and vendors, and more.

So, what is an “annular” solar eclipse?

An annular solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth while at its farthest point from the Earth. Because of the distance between the moon and the Earth, the moon cannot completely cover the sun, creating a “ring of fire” effect.

An annular solar eclipse is one of the rarest astronomical events, and Arizona is one of only nine states that will have the opportunity to witness this occasion.

The annular eclipse begins at 8:11 a.m. and ends at 11:02 a.m.; the eclipse will hit its maximum coverage at 9:32 a.m.

Visit www.azscience.org.