After 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 – where the moon completely blocks the face of the sun – will happen tomorrow afternoon (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’.
Although only a small portion of Earth’s strategically placed inhabitants get to see this amazing spectacle, it is something 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 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.
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
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, tomorrow’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’.
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.
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
The bad news, however, is that the vast majority of Earth’s inhabitants will not see tomorrow’s 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.
It’s worth keeping in mind that the annular eclipse will only be visible along a relatively narrow path, known as the ‘path of annular 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, essentially as the moon moves in and out of position.
According to timeanddate.com, 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.
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 color-coded 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 the north of Argentina, you should see a sun with about 30-40%
In a partial solar eclipse, the sun is only partially covered by the moon, making it appear as if a ‘bite’ has been taken out 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, the US, Asia, Africa or Australia, you unfortunately won’t have a chance to see tomorrow’s 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.