'Ring Of Fire' Eclipse Will Be Visible In PA: How To See It

PENNSYLVANIA — The moon will pass between the sun and the earth Thursday, creating a rare visual effect that will be visible in the sky in most of North America, including Pennsylvania.

While not quite as dramatic as the hotly promoted total eclipse in the summer of 2017, Thursday's event is still a unique phenomenon. It will occur when the moon is farthest from Earth and appears smaller.

"Since the Moon does not block the entire view of the Sun, it will look like a dark disk on top of a larger, bright disk," a NASA release states. "This creates what looks like a ring of fire around the Moon."

The eclipse is expected to be visible in southeastern Pennsylvania from around 5:31 a.m. to 6:30 a.m., and in the Pittsburgh area from 5:49 a.m. to 6:33 a.m., according to timeanddate.com.

While there will be quite a distinct view, Pennsylvanians will not get the full effect of the eclipse, according to Space.com. Portions of northwestern Ontario and communities along Lake Superior have the best angle, along with portions of Greenland and Russia. In the Philadelphia area, the moon will most likely appear as a crescent lying on its back, researchers say.

The partial eclipse will be visible at sunrise and shortly after, so long as viewers have a clear view of the horizon.

And just like that 2017 eclipse, don't look directly at it. Instead, use the special glasses you might have saved from four years ago. NASA gives special instructions on how to build these glasses in the video below:

If you miss Thursday's eclipse, you may have two more chances before the year is over. A partial lunar eclipse is expected to take place around Nov. 19, according to NASA. A total solar eclipse expected on Dec. 4 won't be viewable in North America.

RELATED: Thursday's 'Ring Of Fire' Solar Eclipse: 5 Things To Know

With reporting from Patch correspondents Matt Troutman and Joey Oliver