A rare celestial event, an “annular” solar eclipse, is set to occur on October 14, where the Moon will partially block the middle part of the Sun, creating a captivating “ring of fire” effect. This eclipse will only be visible in North and South America, but there are ways for interested observers to witness it.
For viewers in the Americas, the Moon will move in front of the Sun, resulting in an annular solar eclipse, occurring between 8.35 PM IST on October 14 and 2.25 AM IST on October 15, as reported by In the Sky, an astronomy guide website. This celestial spectacle will be observable in various regions of the United States, Mexico, and countries in South and Central America.
An annular eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth while being at its farthest point from our planet. Because of the Moon’s distance, it won’t completely cover the Sun, leaving only the central part obscured, creating the distinctive “ring of fire” appearance. As with most eclipses, it’s essential to remember that viewing an annular eclipse with the naked eye is not safe.
The provided map illustrates the eclipse’s path and regions where it will be visible. The outermost red lines outline the areas where some part of the eclipse can be observed. The inner red lines indicate the extent to which the Moon will obscure the Sun, at least 20 percent, 40 percent, 60 percent, and 80 percent, respectively, at the moment of maximum eclipse. The central blue line signifies the narrow area where a full annular eclipse will be visible.
