The last solar eclipse of 2024 is almost here, offering skywatchers and eclipse chasers a final opportunity to witness the Moon passing in front of the Sun. This annular solar eclipse, often called a “ring of fire” eclipse, will take place on Wednesday, October 2nd. Unlike the April 8th total solar eclipse, which was visible to millions across North America, this event is more elusive, with its path crossing the South Pacific and only making landfall in a few remote regions.
What is an Annular Solar Eclipse?
An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon, due to its elliptical orbit, appears smaller than the Sun in the sky and fails to cover it entirely. This leaves a bright ring of sunlight around the Moon, creating the stunning “ring of fire” effect. The eclipse occurs when the shadow of the Moon falls short of the Earth’s surface, forming an antumbra.
Over time, annular eclipses will become more common as the Moon slowly drifts away from Earth. In about 600 million years, total solar eclipses will cease to occur altogether, leaving annular eclipses as the primary type of solar eclipse.
Eclipse Path and Visibility
The path of annularity for this eclipse will cross over the South Pacific Ocean, with landfall occurring in Easter Island, Chile, and Argentina. Maximum annularity, where the “ring of fire” effect will last up to 7 minutes and 25 seconds, will be visible northwest of Easter Island.
Partial phases of the eclipse will be visible from several regions, including parts of Antarctica, southern South America (Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Brazil), northern New Zealand, and up to the western coast of Mexico. Observers in the Falkland Islands will witness a partial eclipse, with Stanley seeing an 84% obscuration of the Sun.
Safety Precautions and Viewing Tips
Unlike total solar eclipses, it’s essential to use proper eye protection throughout the entire event, as even the annular phase leaves a portion of the Sun’s brightness exposed. Eclipse glasses or a solar filter are necessary for safe viewing.
A creative way to observe the eclipse is by looking for natural pinhole projectors, such as the gaps between leaves or through kitchen utensils like strainers and graters. These will cast tiny crescent-shaped suns on the ground, offering a unique perspective on the eclipse.
There is a remote possibility that comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS may make a surprise appearance during the eclipse. The comet is expected to reach negative magnitudes in early October and will be about 20 degrees from the Sun during the event. While it’s unlikely that the comet will be visible in the bright daylight sky, past eclipses have brought unexpected celestial sightings, so it’s worth keeping an eye out.
End of Eclipse Season
This eclipse marks the conclusion of the second and final eclipse season for 2024. The season began with a partial lunar eclipse earlier this month. The October 2nd eclipse is part of Solar Saros Series 144, which began in 1736 and will continue until 2980.
The next solar eclipses will occur in 2025, with two partial eclipses: one on March 29th over the North Atlantic and another on September 21st for New Zealand and the South Pacific. The next annular eclipse won’t occur until February 17th, 2026, over Antarctica.
As of now, no live streams have been announced for this event, but those in the eclipse path should take the opportunity to witness this final celestial spectacle of the year.