Thousands of people will be able to watch the sun transform into a rare ‘ring of fire’ today as the second solar eclipse of the year arrives.
This ‘annular solar eclipse’ – where the moon blocks most of the sun – will occur this afternoon, although whether you’ll witness it will depend on your location.
It will be visible to lucky skygazers on Easter Island in the Pacific, as well as southern Argentina and Chile, so Brits won’t be able to see it.
However, if you are not in the right location, astronomers will stream the event live so the world can watch it online.
Here’s MailOnline’s guide to the annular solar eclipse – and how to watch it safely if you’re lucky enough to witness it in person.
Both annular and total solar eclipses occur when the moon casts its shadow over part of the Earth. It’s just that during an annular solar eclipse the moon is further away from the Earth, so it appears smaller to us and therefore doesn’t cover as much of the sun.
If you’re lucky, the annular solar eclipse will appear as a perfectly round orange circle, like a giant hula hoop. Photo shows the annular solar eclipse from Valley of the Gods outside Bears Ears National Monument in Utah, October 14, 2023
A solar eclipse occurs when the new moon passes between the sun and Earth, meaning our view of the sun is blocked.
While April’s total solar eclipse blocked the entire sun, today’s event is only an annular solar eclipse, meaning the moon is further away from us in its orbit and therefore appears smaller.
And because the moon appears smaller, it doesn’t quite cover the entire sun, but results in the distinctive ‘ring of fire’.
This ring of fire is simply the outer edge of the sun as it ‘pops out’ from behind the moon.
Professor Don Pollacco, an astronomer at the University of Warwick, told MailOnline: ‘When the moon is a little further away it appears smaller than the sun’s disk.
“Right now you can see a ring in the sky called an annular solar eclipse.”
If you’re lucky, the annular solar eclipse will appear at noon as a perfectly round orange circle, like a giant hula hoop.
Daylight will dim – although not as dark as during a total solar eclipse – and confused birds may behave as if it were dusk, squawking and returning to their nests.
The moon passes between Earth and the sun during an annular ‘ring of fire’ eclipse as seen from Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah on October 14, 2023
However, the vast majority of people on Earth will not see the annular solar eclipse.
It will only be visible from the southern points of Argentina and Chile, as well as from 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.
During a partial solar eclipse, the sun is only partially covered by the moon, making it appear as if a ‘bite’ has been taken of the sun.
An annular solar eclipse will only be visible along a relatively narrow path, known as the ‘path of annulus formation’.
At each location along the path, people will see a partial solar eclipse, followed by the total solar eclipse, and then another partial solar eclipse as the moon moves in and out of position.
According to timeanddate.com, which is livestreaming the event online, only about 175,000 people will see the annular solar eclipse, sandwiched on either side by a partial solar eclipse.
And about another 239 million will see only the partial solar eclipse, but not an annular solar eclipse.
On Easter Island, the annular should be visible from just after 2 p.m., but in southeastern Argentina it should be visible around 5:20 p.m.
While forecasters predict cloudy conditions for the relevant Chilean regions, Argentina should be clearer.
However, NASA warns that you should never view a solar eclipse with the naked eye – even through sunglasses, binoculars or a telescope – as this can damage your eyesight.
October 2: This map shows the ‘path of ring formation’ as a deep pink line. It is here where people will see the sun as a ‘ring of fire’ (annular solar eclipse). Further ahead are areas where a partial solar eclipse can be seen – where it looks as if the sun has taken a ‘bite’ 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 at most about 30-40% of its surface covered
During a partial solar eclipse, the sun is only partially covered by the moon, making it appear as if a ‘bite’ has been taken of the sun. 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 this is particularly important as the Sun remains extremely bright,’ Dr Robert Massey, deputy director of the Royal Astronomical Society, told MailOnline.
“Instead, you either have to go to a public event where amateur astronomers project an image of the sun for you to look at.
“Or if you can get certified, good quality eclipse sunscreens (you can buy them online), they will block out most of the sun’s harmful light.”
If you’re in Europe, the US, Asia, Africa or Australia, you unfortunately won’t have a chance to see the annular or partial solar eclipse on Wednesday (October 2).
If you are in Europe, USA, Asia, Africa or Australia, you will unfortunately not have a chance to see the annular or partial solar eclipse.
The next total solar eclipse won’t be visible in Britain for another 66 years.
It will take place on September 23, 2090 and 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, a partial solar eclipse will be visible to Britain on March 29 next year.
A solar eclipse contrasts with a lunar eclipse, in which the Earth blocks the Sun from the Moon’s perspective and casts a shadow on the Moon’s surface.
During a lunar eclipse, the moon turns a reddish color due to sunlight’s interaction with the Earth’s atmosphere.