A maximum annular eclipse or “ring of fire” is due to be seen in Argentina and Chile on October 2 2024 at about 18:46 UTC. A partial annular eclipse will be seen in other parts of South America, the Pacific and Antarctica. The annular eclipse is the poorer, but arguably prettier, cousin to the total eclipse that gets the most attention from excited astronomers and solar enthusiasts.
These two types of eclipses happen when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun. In both cases, it is not safe to look at the sun without specialist eye protection designed for viewing the Sun.
In a total eclipse, the position of the Moon between the Sun and the Earth means that the surface of the Sun is completely obscured by the Moon. This allows only the corona – the outermost part of the Sun’s atmosphere – to become visible. The corona is formed from the gaseous ejections that emanate from the surface of the Sun. These can be uniquely studied during a total eclipse.
