Stargazers in Chile and Argentina had the opportunity to witness the final solar eclipse of 2024, known as a “ring of fire.” This type of eclipse, also called an annular eclipse, occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun, darkening the center of the sun. Solar eclipses are relatively common, with NASA estimating that two to four occur each year, but they are not visible from every part of the globe. Only those within the “path of totality” are able to witness the full eclipse, when the moon completely blocks out the sun, leaving just a ring of light in the sky. The path of totality for the 2024 eclipse was only 265 to 331 kilometers wide.
While the path of totality for the 2024 solar eclipse was limited to stretches of Chile and Argentina, other parts of the world, such as Antarctica, Hawaii, Mexico, New Zealand, Brazil, and Uruguay, were able to experience a partial eclipse. During a partial eclipse, the sun appears as a crescent shape or as if a piece has been taken out of it. Following the “ring of fire” eclipse in 2024, the next year will bring two partial eclipses. The first will occur on March 29 and will be visible in parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and South America. The second partial eclipse will take place on September 21 and will be visible in Australia and Antarctica.
For those looking forward to the next full solar eclipse, they will have to wait until February 17, 2026, for the next “ring of fire” eclipse. This phenomenon, where the moon covers the sun’s center, creating a ring of light around it, captivates stargazers around the world. Although solar eclipses occur regularly, with a few happening every year, a full eclipse is a rare event that draws attention from those interested in astronomy. The anticipation for the next full solar eclipse in 2026 is already building among astronomers and stargazers, who will have to patiently wait for the chance to witness this breathtaking celestial event once again.
