Annular Solar Eclipse on October 2, 2024: The 'Ring of Fire' Event

On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, an annular solar eclipse, often referred to as a 'ring of fire,' will occur. This celestial event happens when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun but does not completely cover the Sun, leaving a ring of light visible around the Moon.

Visibility and Path

The annular solar eclipse will be visible primarily from the Southern Hemisphere, including parts of South America, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and Antarctica. The path of the annular eclipse will begin about 1,056 miles southwest of the Hawaiian Islands and will move southwest, passing over Chile and Argentina before ending in the southern Atlantic Ocean.

In the United States, the eclipse will be visible as a partial solar eclipse, particularly in Hawaii, where it will start at 6:10 AM HST and end at 7:57 AM HST.

Timing and Duration

The eclipse will begin around 15:44 UTC with the first penumbral external contact. The annular phase will start at 16:50 UTC, with the maximum eclipse occurring at 18:46 UTC. The annular phase will end at 20:39 UTC, and the partial eclipse will conclude at 21:48 UTC.

The duration of the annular eclipse will vary, with the longest duration of 7 minutes and 25 seconds observed from a point in the Pacific Ocean northwest of Easter Island/Rapa Nui.

Speed of the Moon's Shadow

The speed of the Moon's shadow during the eclipse will vary significantly due to Earth's curvature. At some points, the shadow will move as fast as 6 million mph (10 million km/h), while at others it will move as slow as 1,278 mph (2,057 km/h), similar to the speed of a fighter jet.

Safety Precautions

It is crucial to remember that it is never safe to look directly at the Sun during an annular solar eclipse without proper eye protection, such as solar eclipse glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 standard. Direct viewing can cause serious eye damage or blindness.