Solar eclipses occur when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, creating a stunning celestial event. An annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon is at or near the farthest point in its orbit from Earth, which prevents it from covering the Sun completely, resulting in the appearance of a bright ring of light known as the “ring of fire.”
The annular solar eclipse in October will traverse across the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and Antarctica. However, it will also be visible from Rapa Nui (Easter Island), as well as parts of Argentina and Chile, giving spectators a chance to witness the “ring of fire” if weather conditions permit.
A partial solar eclipse will be visible from other locations such as Hawaii, American Samoa, Brazil, Fiji, French Polynesia, New Zealand, and many other places. If you are in the path of the eclipse, make sure to use certified eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer, as viewing the Sun directly without proper protection can damage your eyes.
Un mapa global muestra la trayectoria del eclipse solar anular el 2 de octubre. Crédito: NASA
The annular eclipse will begin at 12:50 p.m. (Miami time) and end at 4:39 p.m. (Miami time). It will first be visible on land at Rapa Nui at 3:07 p.m., lasting for approximately 6 minutes and 23 seconds, before moving to the Patagonian coast of Chile and then Argentina.
The next major lunar event will be the “Hunter’s Moon” on October 17, which will also be the closest supermoon of the year. Other celestial events to watch out for include the Draconids on October 7-8 and the Orionids on October 20-21.
Make sure to take all necessary precautions when viewing these celestial events and enjoy the wonders of the universe safely!
