Stargazers in one specific state will be lucky enough to be able to see a rare Ring of Fire solar eclipse this week.
The annular solar eclipse is set to occur on October 2, 2024, as it arrives just six months after a total solar eclipse crossed the US on April 8, 2024.
According to NASA, during the annular eclipse, the moon will pass between the Earth and the sun.
However, the moon will be farther from Earth than usual, causing it to appear smaller in the sky.
Unlike a total solar eclipse, where the moon fully covers the sun, this event will create a brilliant ring of sunlight around the darkened moon, giving rise to the "ring of fire" effect.
While most of the US won't be able to see this amazing event, those in Hawaii are the lucky few, per ABC News.
In Hawaii, while residents won’t see the full annular eclipse, they can still enjoy a partial solar eclipse. The partial eclipse will begin around sunrise at 6:23AM local time and will last until about 6:45AM
Other regions where the partial eclipse will be visible include American Samoa, Antarctica, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and parts of the Pacific Islands.
Skywatchers in locations such as French Polynesia, New Zealand, Uruguay, and the Falkland Islands will also have the opportunity to witness this astronomical spectacle.
To safely view the eclipse, it’s essential to wear proper eye protection, such as eclipse glasses or solar viewing glasses. NASA advises using solar viewers that meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard.
"Viewing a 'ring of fire' solar eclipse, whether partial or annular, without proper eye protection is dangerous and can cause eye injury or even blindness," experts warn. Safe handheld solar viewers are also recommended for those looking to take in the sight of this magnificent event.
US stargazers had the opportunity to view Ring of Fire eclipse last year, but if you missed it, I'm afraid it's gone until 2046.
Those from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Kirbyville, Texas, and White Sands, New Mexico were the lucky few.
People saw the moon slowly move across the sun, initially creating a crescent-shaped partial eclipse, taking an hour and 20 minutes to move directly in front of the sun.
Once it was aligned with the sun, the ring of fire - known as annularity - lasted between one and five minutes depending where it was observed from.
For those viewing this year, when the moon is directly in front of the sun, the sky will get darker, though it will not get as dark as it does when there is a total solar eclipse which blocks all of the sun's light, and NASA says the air may feel cooler in this period.
If you're in Hawaii, then I envy you!
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