Cities like Guangzhou, Taipei, Tokyo and Albuquerque will be treated to a stellar show today. For around five minutes the moon will pass between the earth and sun and, depending on where you happen to be on the planet, the sun will be totally or partially obscured.
The annular eclipse is not, as it sounds, something that happens each year. In fact, it’s a pretty rare event. No, “annular” comes from the Latin “annulus” (meaning “little ring”) – a reference to the eerie glowing ring created when the nuclear reactions of the sun burn brightly behind the smaller moon aligned perfectly in front of it. As its peak, the eclipse will block out around 94 percent of the sun’s light.
This “ring of fire” is considered one of nature’s most stunning sights. Astronomers across the planet will have their fingers crossed for cloud-free skies.
If you’re planning to check out the eclipse, you should take some precautionary measures. For example, the sun should never be viewed directly without a solar filter, whether with the naked eye or with a telescope, binoculars or a camera.
The next solar eclipse will happen November 13 – a total eclipse that will be visible in Northern Australia and the southern Pacific Ocean.
For more information on the eclipse and from where on earth it can be seen, head to NASA’s website.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
(Image: kbaird)
