‘Ring of Fire’ annular solar eclipse in October: Date, time and how to watch
Fans of celestial phenomena will have a chance to see a annular solar eclipse, also known as a ‘Ring of Fire’, this week. Here’s how you can watch it.
Fans of astronomy and celestial phenomena are in for a treat this week when the Moon will move between the Earth and the Sun creating an annular solar eclipse, also known as a ‘Ring of Fire’. Unfortunately for most, in order to enjoy the best view of the event, you will need to be in the middle of the Pacific Ocean or the southern end of South America. According to Time and Date, only around 175,000 people live in the path of the annularity.
That said, there are a couple parts of the United States that will at least be able to see a partial eclipse. As well, those who aren’t anywhere near the ‘Ring of Fire’ annular solar eclipse will be able to catch a glimpse via a live stream of the event. Here are all the details.
‘Ring of Fire’ annular solar eclipse in October: Date, time and how to watch
The ‘Ring of Fire’ annular solar eclipse will occur on Wednesday, 2 October, and its central path will follow an arc from south of the Hawai’i Islands across the Pacific Ocean over Rapa Nui (Easter Island) then southern Chile and Argentina before ending over the Atlantic Ocean.
As the Sun comes up over Hawai’i a partial eclipse will already be in the process, finishing at 7:57 am local time. The only place on land where the ‘Ring of Fire’ annular solar eclipse will be fully visible is on Rapa Nui (annularity beginning at 2:04 pm local time) and in the central portion of the Patagonia Region of Chile and Argentina (annularity approximately between 5:20 pm and 5:31 pm local time).
The event will be live streamed on Wednesday, 2 October via Time and Date’s YouTube channel which you can access below.
When is the next solar eclipse?
Residents in the northeast of the United States will get a chance to see a partial solar eclipse this spring on 29 March, 2025. However, then they will have to wait four years until the next opportunity, but there will be two in 2029. Both will be partial, with one in January visible over much of North America and another in June primarily for those near the Artic.