October 9, 2024
1 Solar System Way, Planet Earth, USA

Annular eclipse of the “Ring of Fire” in South America – Astronomy Now

This spectacular “Ring of Fire” solar eclipse occurred on May 20, 2012. Image: Kevin Baird.

On October 2, one of nature's most spectacular phenomena occurs: an annular eclipse, popularly known as the “Ring of Fire” eclipse, which can be seen along an east-west oriented path at the southern tip of South America, crossing Chile and Argentina. Unlike a total solar eclipse, the Moon's shadow stops just short of the Earth's surface, leaving a thin band of the Sun's blinding photosphere surrounding the Moon's silhouette.

A large area of ​​South America will experience a partial eclipse. In Buenos Aires, Argentina, 53.3% of the Sun will be obscured by the Moon at 5:23 p.m.

The eclipse will take place between 15:43 and 21:47 UT, with the maximum duration of the annular eclipse being seven minutes and 25 seconds. On the west coast of Chile, an annular eclipse lasting more than 6 minutes will occur at approximately 17:23 local time.

The annular eclipse can be seen along a narrow track marked in lime blue. The outermost thick red line marks the northern limit of where the partial eclipse is visible. The territory between that line and the first thinner red line below it will witness a partial eclipse, and between the first and second thin lines at least a 20 percent partial eclipse will occur at the time of greatest eclipse. Farther south on the continent, lines indicate where at least 40, 60, and 80 percent of the Sun's surface is hidden by the Moon.

A partial eclipse of decreasing magnitude can be seen northward across South America, with the northern extent of visibility passing just north of Lima, Chile, and in Brazil between Sao Paulo, where an eclipse is observed, and Salvador, north of the line. South of the central path, partial phases extend toward Antarctica.

More images of the 2012 annular eclipse, taken from Texas, USA. Image: Fabrizio Melandri.

In Buenos Aires, Argentina, a partial eclipse is observed, with 53.3% of the Sun's diameter (eclipse magnitude) obscured by the Sun at 17:37 local time. The Sun sets before the end of the eclipse. In Sao Paulo, Brazil, the Sun is only 15° high at the beginning of the partial eclipse (20.3%) at 16:57. In Santiago, Chile, the situation is better, with the entire eclipse visible and 54.9% of the Sun obscured at maximum eclipse at 16:25.

The annular eclipse of October 14, 2023, photographed from Eureka, Nevada, USA. Image: Fabrizio Melandri.

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