An annual solar eclipse is set to transform the sun into a blazing “ring of fire” over the far corner of Antarctica.
The eclipse will be observed on February 17, when the moon will pass directly in front of the sun while it is at its furthest point from Earth in its elliptical orbit.
Since the moon is unable to completely cover the sun, it leaves a visible halo of sunlight encircling the moon’s dark shadow.
The ring of fire will form phase by phase.
Partial eclipse begins (4:56 am EST / 0956 GMT)
The moon will partially cover the edge of the sun and make its “first contact”. In the following hours, the lunar eclipse will sweep rapidly across the solar disk, turning the sun into a narrowing crescent.
Annularity begins (6:42 am EST / 1142 GMT)
With the second switch, the fire ring phase starts. Here the moon will come completely within the disk of the sun. The sky darkens, with only the sun’s outer edge visible as a golden ring.
Maximum Eclipse (7:12 am EST / 1212 GMT)
The perfect halo is created when the moon reaches the dead center of the sun’s disk. This phase will last for about two hours across Antarctica before the ring begins to break.
Partial eclipse ends
The third contact breaks the ring as the moon touches the opposite sides of the sun. In the following hour, the moon disc will slowly return until the fourth contact. At the fourth contact, the last silver of the moon completely leaves the sun.
Although the ring of fire is visible in remote areas of Antarctica, it is important to note that viewing the sun directly without any eclipse glasses can be dangerous.
It can cause serious and permanent eye damage. Spectators are therefore advised to avoid looking at the sun without eclipse glasses or solar filters.
After the eclipse, another celestial event awaits. A total lunar eclipse known as a “blood moon” will be visible on March 3 in North America, East Asia and Australia.
