An annual solar eclipse is set to turn the sun into a blazing “ring of fire” over remote Antarctica.
The eclipse will be observed on February 17, when the Moon passes directly in front of the sun while at its farthest point from Earth in its elliptical orbit.
Since the moon is unable to completely cover the sun, it leaves a visible halo of sunlight surrounding the moon’s dark shadow.
The ring of fire will form phase by phase.
Partial eclipse begins (4:56 a.m. EST/09:56 GMT)
The moon will partially cover the edge of the sun, making its “first contact.” In the following hours, lunar darkness will rapidly sweep across the solar disk, turning the sun into a shrinking crescent.
Annularity Starts (6:42 a.m. EST/11:42 a.m. GMT)
On the second contact, the ring of fire phase begins. Here the moon will fully enter the solar disk. The sky will darken, with only the outer edge of the sun visible as a golden ring.
Maximum eclipse (7:12 a.m. EST/12:12 p.m. GMT)
The perfect halo is created when the Moon reaches the dead center of the solar disk. This phase will last about two hours across Antarctica before the ring begins to break apart.
End of partial eclipse
The third contact breaks the ring when the moon touches opposite edges of the sun. In the next hour, the lunar disk will slowly return to fourth contact. At the fourth contact, the last silver of the moon leaves the sun entirely.
Although the Ring of Fire is visible in remote areas of Antarctica, it is important to note that looking directly at the sun without eclipse glasses can be dangerous.
This can cause serious and permanent eye damage. Therefore, spectators are advised to avoid viewing the sun without eclipse glasses or solar filters.
After the eclipse, another celestial event awaits us. A total lunar eclipse, known as the blood moon, will be visible on March 3 in North America, East Asia and Australia.
