'Ring of Fire' solar eclipse today: What is it and when will it occur next?

The 'Ring of Fire' eclipse will last over six hours, peaking at 12:15 am IST on October 3, but won't be visible in India due to nighttime.

Published on: Oct 2, 2024, 12:37:08 IST

By HT News Desk

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The Earth will witness the annual solar eclipse on Wednesday (October 2). The eclipse is called the 'Ring of Fire' eclipse as it will exhibit a stunning celestial display of a glowing ring of sunlight around the dark centre of the Sun.

The Rig Veda carries mention of potentially the earliest solar eclipse on record, 6,000 years ago

During this 'Ring of Fire' eclipse, which will last for over six hours, the Moon as it will be too far from Earth to completely shadow the Sun, will create a glimmering outline of sunlight around its dark centre. This outline is called the 'Ring of Fire' solar eclipse.

What is the 'Ring of Fire' solar eclipse

The 'Ring of Fire' solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun attempting to obscure the Sun but failing to completely cover the Sun, leaving a radiant ring of sunlight visible on the outlines.

Notably, this 'Ring of Fire' solar eclipse differs from the total solar eclipse where the moon completely blocks the Sun.

However, the peak of this 'Ring of Fire' eclipse, which will occur at around 12:15 am IST on October 3, cannot be seen in India as it falls during nighttime. Today's eclipse will begin at 7:12 pm (IST) on Wednesday and ends at 3:17 am IST the next day.

Also read: When and where to catch the ‘ring of fire’

This 'Ring of Fire' solar eclipse will be seen over water in the Pacific. Rapa Nui is on the path along with parts of Argentina and Chile. On the other hand, a partial solar eclipse, in which the Sun appears as a crescent, will be visible from several locations such as Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Hawaii.

When Will the Next 'Ring of Fire' Eclipse Occur?

While there will be two partial solar eclipses next year in March and September, the he next total solar eclipse won’t arrive until 2026 and will pass over the northern fringes of Greenland, Iceland and Spain.

The partial solar eclipse will happen on March 29, 2025, but won't be visible from India as the eclipse will occur during the nighttime in India. However, it will be visible in parts of the northeastern United States, eastern Canada, Greenland, Europe, northwest Africa, and northern Russia.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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