Following the dazzling event that blocked out the sun in April, skygazers are about to be treated to the second solar eclipse of 2024.
An annular solar eclipse – when the moon completely blocks the face of the sun – is taking place in the afternoon tomorrow (October 2), astronomers say.
Thousands of people will see the moon appear in the middle of the sun, resulting in a halo of sunlight known as a ‘ring of fire’.
While only a small proportion strategically-placed of Earthlings will be gifted with the amazing sight, it’s one not to be missed.
Here’s how and when to see the second solar eclipse of the year.
Both annular and total solar eclipses occur when the moon casts its shadow over part of the Earth. It’s just that with an annular solar eclipse, the moon is further away from Earth, so it appears smaller to us and therefore doesn’t cover as much of the sun
The moon passes between Earth and the sun during an annular ‘ring of fire’ eclipse seen from Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on October 14, 2023
A solar eclipse happens when the new moon passes between the sun and Earth, which means our view of the sun gets blocked.
While April’s total solar eclipse blocked out the whole of the sun, tomorrow’s event is only an annular solar eclipse, meaning the moon is further from us in its orbit and hence appears smaller.
And because the moon appears smaller, it doesn’t quite cover the whole of the sun – instead resulting in the distinctive ‘ring of fire’.
Professor Don Pollacco, an astronomer at the University of Warwick, told MailOnline: ‘If the moon is slightly further away, it seems to be smaller than the sun disk.
‘At this time, you can see a ring in the sky called an annular eclipse.’
If you’re lucky, the annular solar eclipse will appear as a perfectly-round orange circle in the afternoon, like a gigantic hula hoop.
Daylight will become dimmer – although not as dark as during a total solar eclipse – and confused birds may begin to behave as if it is dusk, by squawking and returning to their nests.
If you’re lucky, the annular solar eclipse will appear as a perfectly-round orange circle, like a gigantic hula hoop. Pictured, the annular solar eclipse is seen from Valley of the Gods outside Bears Ears National Monument in Utah, October 14, 2023
However, the bad news is that the vast majority of Earthlings won’t get to see tomorrow’s annular solar eclipse.
It will only be visible from the southern tips of Argentina and Chile, as well as Easter Island in the southeastern Pacific Ocean.
Meanwhile, other parts of South America including Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru as well as Hawaii and New Zealand should see a ‘partial’ solar eclipse.
A partial solar eclipse is where the sun is only partially covered by the moon, making it look like the sun has had a ‘bite’ taken out of it.
It’s worth bearing in mind that the annular solar eclipse will only be visible along a relatively narrow path, known as the ‘path of annularity’.
In any one location along the path, people will see a partial eclipse followed by the total eclipse, and then a partial eclipse again, effectively as the moon moves in and then out of position.
Only around 175,000 people will see the annular solar eclipse sandwiched either side by a partial solar eclipse, according to timeanddate.com
And about another 239 million will only see the partial solar eclipse but no annular solar eclipse.
At Easter Island, the annular should be visible from just after 2pm, but in southeastern Argentina, it should be viewable at about 5:20pm.
However, NASA warns that you should never view a solar eclipse with the naked eye – not even through sunglasses, binoculars or a telescope – because it can damage your vision.
October 2: This colour coded map shows the ‘path of annularity’ as a deep pink line. It’s here where people will see the sun as a ‘ring of fire’ (annular solar eclipse). Further out are areas that will see a partial eclipse – where it looks like the sun has had a ‘bite’ taken out of it. Exactly how much of the sun appears ‘bitten out’ depends on where you are. For example, if you are in northern Argentina you should see a sun with about 30-40%
A partial solar eclipse is where the sun is only partially covered by the moon, making it look like the sun has had a ‘bite’ taken out of: Pictured, a partial solar eclipse at Skegness in Lincolnshire, England, March 20, 2015
Looking directly at the sun with the naked eye is dangerous and can cause permanent damage or blindness.
A simple pinhole projector, solar eclipse viewing glasses, which can be purchased online, or special solar filters are safer.
‘During the partial phase of the eclipse it’s especially important because the sun remains extremely bright,’ Dr Robert Massey, deputy director of the Royal Astronomical Society, told MailOnline.
‘Instead, what you need to do is either go to a public event where amateur astronomers might be projecting an image of the sun you can look at.
‘Or if you can get hold of certified, proper, good-standard eclipse shades (you can buy them online) they block out most of the harmful light from the sun.’
Unfortunately, if you’re in Europe, the US, Asia, Africa or Australia, you have no chance of seeing the annular or partial solar eclipse on Wednesday (October 2)
Unfortunately, if you’re in Europe, the US, Asia, Africa or Australia, you have no chance of seeing the annular or partial solar eclipse tomorrow.
The next total solar eclipse isn’t visible in the UK for another 66 years
Occurring on September 23, 2090, it will be the first total solar eclipse visible from Britain since August 11, 1999, and the first visible from Ireland since May 22, 1724.
However, there will be a partial eclipse visible for Brits on March 29 next year.
