Tech Desk 
Oct 03, 2024
A rare and awe-inspiring annular solar eclipse transformed the sun into a breathtaking "ring of fire" in the sky yesterday, October 2. Sweeping across the vast Pacific Ocean, it was seen from remote locations such as Easter Island, Hawaii, and southern Chile and Argentina.
What is an annular solar eclipse 2024?
An annular solar eclipse happens when the moon appears to be smaller than the sun due to being farther from Earth. This annular ring-like structure around the moon is caused by its passage in between the Earth and the sun, its breathtaking silhouette created by this alignment.
Annual solar eclipse 2024: Ring of fire appeared
The eclipse demonstrated that the moon was covering the centre of the sun, which then appeared to be surrounded by a ring of glowing light at its edges. The appearance that was witnessed has been described as the "ring of fire," and only for a very brief time.
This happened because much of the path of the eclipse was over water, Easter Island was one of the relatively few landmasses that could see it.
Read more: All astronomical events of October 2024
One of the best places for skywatchers, Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, found itself in a situation relative to the eclipse's path. Set aside that threat from clouds again, enthusiasts still gathered to witness this rare event.
However, the annular solar eclipse 2024 starting and ending over water, had let only approximately 175,000 people (0.002% of the world's population) live on the path witnessed the uninterrupted view of the "ring of fire."
This annular solar eclipse of 2024 was one of the most scientifically and sky-observing interpreted events. This Earth-moon-sun alignment will not recur for another 312 years above Easter Island.
