Asian Mail
A rare “ring of fire” solar eclipse will be visible in parts of South America today, creating a spectacular phenomenon in the skies.
Follow Asian Mail Communications on Whatsapp Join Now
The annual solar eclipse occurs when the Moon aligns between the Sun and Earth, partially blocking the Sun’s light. This year’s eclipse is unique due to the Moon’s farther-than-usual distance from Earth.
According to NASA, the eclipse’s path will begin in the North Pacific, pass over the Andes and Patagonia regions of Latin America, and finish in the Atlantic. The eclipse will last more than three hours, from 1700 to around 2030 GMT.
The “ring of fire” phenomenon, expected to last just a few minutes, will occur around 1845 GMT. Diego Hernandez, head of scientific dissemination at the Buenos Aires Planetarium, described it as “a kind of ring of light coming from the Sun.”
A partial eclipse will be visible from Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, parts of Brazil, Mexico, New Zealand, and several islands in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
Space agencies and institutes have warned against observing an eclipse with the naked eye, citing the risk of irreversible damage to the retina. Only certified special eclipse glasses or indirect viewing through a pinhole projection are recommended.
The next partial solar eclipse will take place on March 29, 2025, visible mainly from western North America, Europe, and northwest Africa.
For safe viewing, experts advise using certified special eclipse glasses or viewing indirectly through a pinhole projection. Ordinary sunglasses offer insufficient protection.
(Courtesy The Hindu)
