A beautiful annular sun eclipse will happen in the Southern Hemisphere on October 2, 2024. A partial solar eclipse will happen over most of South America, but a lucky few will be able to see the mesmerizing “ring of fire” around the moon from a narrow line of annularity.
The exact time you can see this stellar event will depend on where you are. Remember that you can’t see it everywhere in the world. That’s why a lot of experts are going to the best places to report it.
Location and time to see the annular solar eclipse
- The first location to see the partial phase of the annular eclipse will be at 11:43 a.m. EDT (1543 GMT).
- The first location to witness the annular phase will be at 12:50 p.m. EDT (1650 GMT).
- The maximum eclipse will occur at 2:45 p.m. EDT (1845 GMT).
Remember that it is NEVER safe to look straight at the sun during an annular solar eclipse without the right gear. Make sure you wear glasses made just for watching the sun during a solar eclipse. Read our guide on how to safely look at the sun for more information.
There are live streams that you can watch that will let you see the amazing “ring of fire” sun eclipse from 3:03 to 3:09 p.m. EDT (1903 to 1909 GMT). People will have up to 6 minutes and 11 seconds to be amazed by the event from Easter Island, which is also known as Rapa Nui.
Mark Your Calendars for the Next Viewing Opportunity
Don’t worry if you miss the first chance! Between 4:18 and 4:31 p.m. EDT (20:18 to 20:31 GMT) is another great time to watch. The “ring of fire” can be seen from southern Chile and Argentina at this time.
Local Viewing Times for the Southern Hemisphere
Here are the local times when the “ring of fire” will be visible in various Southern Hemisphere locations on Oct. 2:
- Orongo, Easter Island: Annularity at 14:03 EASST, duration of 6 minutes, 28 seconds
- Hanga Roa, Easter Island: Annularity at 14:03 EASST, duration of 6 minutes, 22 seconds
- Cochrane, Chile: Annularity at 17:21 CLST, duration of 5 minutes, 54 seconds
- Santa Julia, Chile: Annularity at 17:24 CLST, duration of 1 second
- Puerto Deseado, Argentina: Annularity at 17:27 ART, duration of 3 minutes, 22 seconds
- Puerto San Julián, Argentina: Annularity at 17:24 ART, duration of 5 minutes, 12 seconds
Understanding the Solar Eclipse
Depending on how far away Earth is from the moon, a solar eclipse will either be complete or annular. Because the moon’s path around Earth is a little irregular, the distance between them changes a little as it goes around.
What Causes a Total Solar Eclipse?
There is a complete solar eclipse when the moon is big enough to cover the sun from top to bottom. The moon casts a very thin shadow across Earth during this event. This shadow is called the path of totality.
What’s Happening on October 2?
But on October 2, the moon will be a little farther from the sun, so it won’t totally block it. The moon’s shadow will cross the sun’s centre straight on from a line about 165 miles (266 kilometres) wide that goes through the Pacific Ocean, Patagonia (southern Chile and Argentina), and the Atlantic Ocean. This will make a short ring of light, which is also sometimes called a “ring of fire.”
This amazing show is an example of an annular solar eclipse, in which the moon’s width seems smaller than the sun’s and the sun’s surface can be seen around the moon in the shape of a ring.