Bandung, Indonesia Sentinel — A rare astronomical event known as the “Ring of Fire” solar eclipse is set to grace the sky on October 2. This phenomenon differs from the Total Solar Eclipse as the Moon will not entirely cover the Sun during this event.
During the “Ring of Fire” eclipse, the outer edge of the Sun remains visible, forming a glowing ring around the darkened Moon. This spectacle is referred to as an annular eclipse, in which the Sun’s fiery outline creates the famous “ring of fire” effect.
Unlike a total solar eclipse, viewers will need proper eye protection to safely witness this event. Looking directly at the eclipse without specialized eyewear can cause serious eye damage.
Only a few regions in the southern parts of Chile and Argentina will experience the full “Ring of Fire” effect. As reported by The Times, the exact viewing times will vary slightly depending on the observer’s location.
For the best viewing experience, there are several key locations in Chile and Argentina where the “Ring of Fire” will be visible. These include Perito Moreno National Park, Puerto Deseado, and Puerto San Julián in Argentina, as well as the town of Cochrane in Chile.
In Chile and Argentina, the event will last between 3 to 6 minutes, occurring just before 5:30 PM local time. In Rapa Nui, a Chilean territory located in the Pacific Ocean, a total solar eclipse can be observed at approximately 2:03 PM local time.
To view the annular eclipse safely, eclipse glasses must be used, as they block harmful ultraviolet light and most visible light from the Sun. Sunglasses or binoculars are not sufficient for safe viewing.
The glasses should meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard, but it is important to beware of counterfeit products, which may falsely claim to meet this requirement.
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As the eclipse progresses, it will affect the moon shadow. The Moon’s shadow will seem to move at dramatically different speeds depending on the observer’s location. In some areas, the shadow will race across the sky at speeds exceeding 10 million kilometers per hour. In other locations, the shadow will move as slowly as 2,057 kilometers per hour, comparable to the speed of a fighter jet.
According to Space.com, the Moon’s shadow will travel from the northwest to the southeast, but due to Earth’s curvature, the shadow will appear to shift across a curved surface. This causes the distance between the Earth and Moon to change constantly, resulting in varying speeds of the eclipse’s shadow.
This celestial phenomenon offers a rare opportunity to witness the Sun’s fiery halo, but it should be enjoyed with proper precautions.
(Raidi/Agung)
