South America’s annular ‘Ring of Fire’ eclipse – Astronomy Now
This spectacular ‘Ring of Fire’ eclipse of the Sun took place on 20 May 2012. Image: Kevin Baird.
On 2 October one of the most spectacular events in nature takes place. A annular eclipse, popularly described as a ‘Ring of Fire’ eclipse, is visible along an east-to-west orientated path in the far south of South America, crossing Chile and Argentina. Unlike at a total eclipse of the Sun, the Moon’s shadow stops just short of Earth’s surface, leaving a thin band of the Sun’s blinding photosphere encircling the Moon’s silhouette.
A large area of South America experiences a partial eclipse. In Buenos Aires, Argentina, 53.3% of the Sun is hidden by the Moon at 5.23pm.
The eclipse takes place between 15:43h and 21:47h UT, with the maximum duration of the annular eclipse lasting seven minutes an...