The second solar eclipse of the year will occur on October 2, 2024. It is an annular solar eclipse, also known as the ‘Ring of Fire’. This stunning event occurs when the Moon passes in front of the Sun while at its farthest point from Earth, making it appear smaller than the Sun and unable to cover the Sun’s surface entirely. During this celestial phenomenon, an outer ring remains visible around the darkened centre of the Sun, creating a delightful ‘Ring of fire’ effect in the sky.
The solar eclipse will be visible from parts of the Pacific Ocean, southern Chile, southern Argentina, Antarctica, and the Atlantic Ocean. The eclipse will last over six hours, beginning at 15:42 UTC, with the partial eclipse ending at 21:47 UTC. At its maximum point in the Pacific, the Moon will obscure 93% of the Sun’s centre, and the ‘Ring of Fire’ will last up to 7 minutes and 24 seconds. In India, the eclipse will not be visible as it will occur at night.
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon while orbiting the Earth, passes between the Sun and the Earth and blocks Sun’s light partially or fully reaching to the Earth. Since the plane of the Moon’s orbit is different from that of the Sun’s and Earth’s orbit this alignment of the moon occurs twice a year.
Those who want to witness this spectacular event should take safety precautions as looking directly at the Sun is hazardous for eyes and skin. Always view the Sun through certified eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer. The Sun will be very bright during a partial eclipse and watching it for hours will expose people to direct sunlight so it is necessary to wear sunscreen, a hat, and protective clothing to prevent skin damage.