CNN :
A “ring of fire” solar eclipse appeared in the sky Thursday as the moon partially blocked out the sun.
It was visible in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere, and people around the world captured the celestial show-the first of two solar eclipses this year-with some stunning images.
A solar eclipse happens when the moon crosses between the sun and the Earth, which blocks a portion of the sun’s rays, according to NASA.
This eclipse is an annular eclipse, meaning the moon is far enough away from the Earth that it appears smaller than the sun.
When the moon crosses paths with the fiery star, it will look smaller than the sun, leaving room for bright light to glow around the edges. This is called “the ring of fire” and was expected to be visible to some people in Greenland, northern
Russia and Canada, NASA said. Other countries in the Northern Hemisphere, including the United Kingdom and Ireland, were able to see a partial eclipse, which is where the moon only covers a portion of the sun. A fingernail-shaped shadow covered a different percentage of the sun, depending on your location.
The eclipse began its sweep in Canada north of the Great Lakes, crossed northeastern Canada into the Arctic Ocean, passed over the North Pole, and was expected to end in northeastern Siberia, according to the UK’s Royal Astronomical Society. The partial eclipse is expected to be visible until about 9:11 a.m. ET.
If you’re unable to see the eclipse, NASA and The Virtual Telescope Project will be streaming live views. For more specific times related to your geographic location, check out TimeAndDate.com. The name “annular” comes from the Latin word “annulus,” which means ring-shaped, according to Farmers’ Almanac.
Because some of the sun’s rays will be glowing from behind the moon, it’s important to wear proper eye protection when viewing the solar eclipse, according to the American Astronomical Society.
Make sure when you purchase a solar filter that it meets the ISO 12312-2 international standard to protect your eyes. “Eclipse glasses” cost a couple dollars and are the only safe way to view the eclipse, AAS said.
After the solar eclipse on June 10, the next opportunity to see an eclipse won’t come until November 19. This partial eclipse of the moon can be viewed by skywatchers in North America and Hawaii between 1 a.m. ET and 7:06 a.m. ET.
And the year will end with a total eclipse of the sun on December 4. It won’t be visible in North America, but those in the Falkland Islands, the southern tip of Africa, Antarctica and southeastern Australia will be able to spot it.
