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How and where to watch Wednesday’s annular solar eclipse
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How and where to watch Wednesday’s annular solar eclipse

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A lucky few will get the chance to see another space phenomenon on Wednesday when the “Ring of Fire” annular solar eclipse darkens the sky.

The annular (or annular) solar eclipse will be most visible from South America, although residents of at least one U.S. state may have a chance to catch a glimpse of it. An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon is farthest from the sun and does not cause a complete eclipse, but instead creates a light effect, hence the ‘ring of fire’.

This time, the celestial event will only be visible to a small population in one US state. Wondering if you can catch a glimpse? Here’s what you need to know about watching today’s annular solar eclipse.

What time is the Ring of Fire annular solar eclipse?

The annular solar eclipse, also known as the ‘ring of fire’, will take place on Wednesday, October 2.

The annular solar eclipse will occur in phases depending on the time and date details:

  • 15:42 UTC: Partial solar eclipse begins. A partial solar eclipse occurs when the moon, sun, and Earth are not perfectly aligned and only the outer shadow of the moon’s shadow is cast on Earth.
  • 16:50 UTC: Annular solar eclipse begins. An annular solar eclipse describes the moment when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, creating the illusion of a thin ring of sunlight around the moon.
  • 18:45 UTC: Maximum eclipse creatures. This happens when the moon completely covers the surface of the sun.
  • 20:39 UTC: Annular solar eclipse ends
  • 21:47 UTC: Partial solar eclipse ends

Where will the solar eclipse be visible?

The eclipse will be visible from parts of South America, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean and Antarctica.

According to Time and Date and NASA, only about 175,000 people live within the path of the annularity this time. However, the number of people who could have a partial line of sight to the eclipse is much larger: about 245 million people.

Southern parts of Argentina and Chile will see the annular solar eclipse in its full glory. In the US, Hawaii is the only state expected to have a partial view of the October 2 solar eclipse.

According to NASA, other areas and countries that could see at least a partial solar eclipse include:

  • American Samoa
  • Antarctica
  • Argentina
  • Baker Island, small outlying islands of the USA
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Christmas Island
  • Clipperton Island
  • Cook Islands
  • Falkland Islands
  • Fiji
  • French Polynesia
  • Hawaii, USA
  • Mexico
  • New Zealand
  • Niue
  • Palmyra Atoll, small outlying islands of the USA
  • Paraguay
  • Pitcairn Islands
  • Samoa
  • South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
  • Tokelau
  • Tonga
  • Tuvalu
  • Uruguay
  • Wallis and Futuna

How to see the ring of fire

The 2024 Ring of Fire annular solar eclipse will not be visible from the contiguous US. However, a partial solar eclipse will be visible from Hawaii beginning around 6:10 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time (HST) and ending at 7:57 a.m. HST.

Several cities in Hawaii will be able to see part of the partial solar eclipse in the early morning hours of October 2 (all times in HST, via Time and Date):

  • Hello – Visible between 5:44 AM and 7:56 AM
  • Honolulu – Visible between 5:45 am and 7:52 am
  • Kailua Kona – Visible between 5:44 AM and 7:56 AM
  • LihuĂ© – Visible between 5:46 AM and 7:51 AM
  • NapiliHonokowai – Can be viewed between 5:45 AM and 7:53 AM
  • Wailuku – Visible between 5:45 am and 7:54 am
  • Waipahu – Visible between 5:45 am and 7:52 am

Safely view the solar eclipse from the ring of fire

According to NASA, eye protection is necessary when viewing a partial or annular solar eclipse. Because the sun is never completely covered, viewers should wear safe solar-powered viewing glasses, also known as eclipse glasses, or use portable solar binoculars during the entire eclipse.

Do you have no glasses or binoculars left from the last solar eclipse? Try a DIY indirect viewer, such as a pinhole projector or funnel viewer. Please note that normal sunglasses, binoculars and cell phone cameras do not provide adequate protection when viewing a solar eclipse; safe solar binoculars must meet ISO 12312-2 standards, NASA advises.