The epicenter of the next annular solar eclipse will be over Easter Island and the tips of Argentina and Chile, scheduled for Wednesday, October 2, 2019. This celestial event, sometimes called the “ring of fire,” promises to be a stunning spectacle for lucky observers in the path.
But what is an annular solar eclipse?
Solar eclipses occur when the sun, moon, and Earth align in a particular way. In an annular eclipse, the moon blocks out the light of the sun, leaving only a thin, ring-shaped band of light visible. This is a result of the moon being positioned at a certain point in its orbit that is farther from Earth than during a total eclipse.
According to Dr. Carolyn Sumners, vice chair of astronomy at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, “The moon is simply not big enough to completely cover the sun.”
This eclipse will occur primarily over the Pacific Ocean, with only 5% of the time an annular eclipse occurs over land. However, this time, the eclipse path will pass through Easter Island, one of the most remote inhabited places on Earth, famous for its monumental Moai statues.
Although solar eclipses occur two to five times a year, they are only visible from locations within the Moon’s narrow shadow. During this eclipse, parts of South America and parts of the Pacific Ocean will be able to observe a partial solar eclipse, offering a crescent-shaped celestial spectacle.
Observer safety remains paramount during such occurrences, as looking directly at the Sun can damage the eyes, even when it is partially obscured. To protect your eyesight, it is essential to use special glasses that meet ISO 12312-2 standards, which block ultraviolet rays and almost all visible light from the sun. Sunglasses or binoculars are not enough in this case.
Dr. Sumners emphasizes the unique experience of an eclipse, not only for the spectacular visual aspect, but also for the memories and stories associated with this exceptional astronomical event.
After the annular eclipse on October 2, two partial solar eclipses will provide a similar spectacle in parts of North America, Europe, West Africa and Antarctica next year. Two total lunar eclipses in 2025 will tint the moon red starting on March 13.
The next total solar eclipse is not expected until 2026, crossing the northern fringes of Greenland, Iceland and Spain. Eclipse enthusiasts will have the opportunity to experience unique and unforgettable moments to the rhythm of celestial movements, the moon dancing in front of the sun, offering a breathtaking spectacle to those who take the time to observe one of the greatest shows in the universe.