A “Ring of Fire” solar eclipse occurs. But only a lucky few will see it

NEW YORK (AP) — A “Ring of Fire” solar eclipse is occurring. But only a lucky few will be on the way.

The annular solar eclipsewill be visible Wednesday over Easter Island and the tips of Argentina and Chile.

So you can watch the final safely Solar spectacle of the year.

What is an annular solar eclipse?

Solar eclipses occur when the sun, moon and earth are aligned in exactly the same way. The moon casts a shadow that can partially or completely block sunlight.

During an annular solar eclipse, the moon obscures all but an annular portion of the sun. This is because the moon is at a point in its orbit that is further away from Earth.

“The moon just isn’t big enough to cover the sun,” said Carolyn Sumners of the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

This eclipse will occur primarily over water in the Pacific Ocean. Rapa Nui, known as Easter Island, is on the way along with parts of Argentina and Chile.

A partial solar eclipse, in which the sun appears as a crescent, can be viewed from several locations, including Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Hawaii.

Solar eclipses occur about two to five times a year. April’s total solar eclipse stunned sky watchers in parts of Mexico, Canada and the United States

How do I safely view a solar eclipse?

Looking directly at the sun can damage your eyes, even if they are mostly covered.

The annular solar eclipse can be safely seen using solar eclipse glasses, which block the sun’s ultraviolet light and almost all visible light. Sunglasses or binoculars are not enough.

Glasses should state that they meet ISO 12312-2 standards, although counterfeit vendors may also state this on their products.

If you don’t have solar eclipse glasses, you can still enjoy the spectacle indirectly. Build a pinhole projector out of household materials or hold up a screen and look down to see an image of the eclipse projected below.

If you look at the ground beneath a shady tree, you can also see crescent-shaped shadows as sunlight filters through branches and leaves.

What’s next?

Two partial solar eclipses will grace the sky in March and September next year.

The next total solar eclipse will not occur until 2026 and will cross the northern edges of Greenland, Iceland and Spain.

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Science and Educational Media Group of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The AP is solely responsible for all content.