Ring-Of-Fire Solar Eclipse That Will Light Up The Sky Is Only Days Away

A dramatic ring-of-fire solar eclipse is set to grace the skies on February 17, although this time, most of the globe will have to settle for watching the spectacle via livestream than from their own backyards. That is, unless you live in Antarctica.

Otherwise known as an annular solar eclipse, the ring-of-fire eclipse occurs when the moon is at its apogee. Because the moon appears slightly smaller than usual in the sky, it won't completely blot out the sun’s outer edges. Instead, as it slides directly in front of the sun, it leaves a brilliant, blazing border of light visible, the eponymous ring of fire. For this particular event, the moon will cover approximately 96% of the sun's center, creating the annulus of light that will last for about 2 minutes and 20 seconds.

For those outside the icy continent, the eclipse remains a notable event, though it will manifest only in its partial phase. Skywatchers in the southernmost tips of Argentina and Chile may catch a glimpse of the moon taking a bite out of the sun during sunrise. Residents in parts of southern Africa (including South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe), as well as Madagascar and several islands in the Indian Ocean, will also see varying degrees of a partial eclipse. In these regions, the sun will appear as a crescent rather than a ring.

As with any solar event, we must stress that looking directly at the sun without specialized protection is a big no-no. Even during an annular eclipse, when most of the sun is covered, the remaining sliver of light is intense enough to cause permanent eye damage. Certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses or indirect viewing methods, like pinhole projectors, are essential for anyone wanting to witness the event safely.

This event will be the first of two solar eclipses occurring this year. The next one in August is going to be a total eclipse and will sweep across Greenland, Iceland, and Spain.