Annular Solar Eclipse: How To See “Ring Of Fire” On 2 October 2024?

On 2nd October 2024, an annular solar eclipse will occur, marking the second eclipse of the year. During this event, the moon’s central shadow will not completely reach Earth, creating a spectacular “ring of fire” effect. The next opportunity to see this phenomenon will be in 2027.

How and where to watch the Annular Solar Eclipse

Observers can watch the annular solar eclipse on the 2nd of October.

An annular solar eclipse will be visible in Argentina and Chile. A partial solar eclipse will be visible in parts of South America, Antarctica, North America, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii.

This annular solar eclipse will have a long and wide path, starting south of Hawaii in the North Pacific Ocean and ending north of South Georgia in the South Atlantic Ocean.

The eclipse will also be well visible from southern Patagonia, with the path ranging from 165 to 206 miles wide.

Its path spans about 8,800 miles (14,163 kilometres) and is between 165 and 206 miles (265 to 331 kilometres) wide.

Annular Solar Eclipse: Live Broadcast

If you are in a location with no observation, you can watch Annular Solar Eclipse online. For instance, the TimeandDate service will stream the solar eclipse, so join the live translation.

What is the Annular Eclipse?

According to EarthSky, this solar eclipse will last a total of 223 minutes. At its peak, people along the centre of the eclipse path will see the moon cover just over 86 per cent of the sun. Only the outer part of the sun will be visible, which means an annular eclipse is essentially a type of partial eclipse.

The term “annular” comes from the Latin word for ring, “annulus,” which describes the outer rings of the sun’s surface that can be seen during the eclipse’s peak. While it may not be as striking as a total solar eclipse, this event will still be captivating to watch.

The first solar eclipse of 2024 took place on 8 April and was a total solar eclipse. Read our article to learn more about how it was.

A “Ring Of Fire” Phenomenon

Another feature of this solar eclipse is the so-called “ring of fire.” The “ring of fire” is a phenomenon that occurs during an annular solar eclipse when the moon covers a significant portion of the sun but not its entire centre. 

At the peak of the upcoming eclipse in the Pacific region, the moon will block 93% of the sun’s centre, resulting in a brilliant ring of sunlight that can be observed for 7 minutes and 25 seconds. This “ring of fire” will appear 67 degrees above the northern horizon, lasting 6 minutes and 28 seconds at Orongo, the southernmost point of Rapa Nui, and 5 minutes and 59 seconds at its northernmost point, Ana o Heu.

Is the Annual Solar Eclipse Visible from the UK?

Unfortunately, not. To determine when and how the Annular Solar Eclipse on 2 October 2024 will be visible from your location, you can use this interactive map. 

If you’re lucky enough to be in the area where the eclipse is visible, remember to never look directly at the sun without proper eye protection. Here are some tips for safely watching the eclipse.