In pictures: Skywatchers enthralled by "Ring of Fire"

Solar eclipse every year or two, and can only been seen from a narrow pathway across the planet


News Desk June 21, 2020
A partial solar eclipse is seen from New Delhi, India, June 21, 2020. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Ring of Fire - an annual solar eclipse was visible across Pakistan and parts of Africa, northern India and China on Sunday.

The eclipse was visible for a few hours and reached its peak around 11:40am, according to meteorologists.

According to Reuters, the annual event occurs when the moon covers the sun’s centre but leaves its outer edges visible to form a ring. In most years, two solar eclipses are visible from somewhere on Earth. The maximum number is five.

What is a solar eclipse?

A solar eclipse is when the moon passes directly between the sun and the Earth. According to Accu Weather, the distance between the moon and the Earth at the moment of the eclipse dictates the type of the eclipse that can be viewed. The moon, however, does not always block out the entire sun.

Why is it called a ring of fire?

The term ‘ring of fire’ was coined seeing the bright ring of sunlight around the moon at the height of the annular solar eclipse.

Safety precautions

If you’re planning to view the ring of fire, then make sure to do it with proper eye protection. Viewing the sun directly can cause major damage to your eyes – which may even be permanent.

In some cases, a pair of sunglasses is also not enough to curtail the big star’s harmful rays.

A solar filter or a special pair of eclipse glasses designed for safe viewing of a solar eclipse would be recommended.

 


A partial solar eclipse is seen from New Delhi, India. PHOTO: REUTERS A partial solar eclipse is seen from New Delhi, India. PHOTO: REUTERS

People stand next to a model of the earth, the moon and the sun as a partial solar eclipse is seen from Mount Scopus in Jerusalem. PHOTO: REUTERS People stand next to a model of the earth, the moon and the sun as a partial solar eclipse is seen from Mount Scopus in Jerusalem. PHOTO: REUTERS

A photo shows a partial solar eclipse observed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia June 21, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri A photo shows a partial solar eclipse observed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. PHOTO: REUTERS

A crow stands on a roof as a partial solar eclipse is observed in Nairobi, Kenya, June 21, 2020. REUTERS/Baz Ratner A crow stands on a roof as a partial solar eclipse is observed in Nairobi, Kenya. PHOTO: REUTERS

A partial solar eclipse is seen from the Cairo suburb of Maadi, Egypt, June 21, 2020. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh A partial solar eclipse is seen from the Cairo suburb of Maadi, Egypt. PHOTO: REUTERS

A partial solar eclipse is seen from New Delhi, India, June 21, 2020. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui A partial solar eclipse is seen from New Delhi, India. PHOTO: REUTERS

A partial solar eclipse is pictured along Clifton beach, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Karachi, Pakistan June 21, 2020. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro. A partial solar eclipse is pictured along Clifton beach, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Karachi, Pakistan. PHOTO: REUTERS

PHOTO: AFP PHOTO: AFP

PHOTO: AFP PHOTO: AFP

 





 



 



 



 



 












 

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