Astronomy Enthusiasts in South America Witness Stunning “Ring of Fire” Solar Eclipse on Wednesday, visible from Chile’s Easter Island and several other locations in the region.
This rare spectacle—occurring when the moon suddenly obscures the sun—attracted dozens of tourists, photographers, and astronomy lovers to this Pacific island, which has a population of 7,000.
The moon moving across the sun during an annular solar eclipse in Puerto San Julian, Argentina on October 2, 2024. (Photo: AP).
There, they pointed their lenses skyward against a backdrop of the iconic “Moai” statues of Easter Island, a long-time home of Polynesian people.
Locals and tourists gather to witness the annular solar eclipse at Isla de Pascua in the Pacific, Chile on October 2, 2024. (Photo: AFP).
“It was a little sunset,” Ninoska Huki, 55, described her “magical” experience on the island shortly after local noon.
Close-up of the moon “eating” the sun during the annular solar eclipse in South America on Wednesday. (Photo: AP).
A solar eclipse occurs when the sun, moon, and Earth align. The moon casts a shadow that can block part or all of the sun’s light.
In an annular solar eclipse, the moon completely covers the sun except for a ring-like portion. This happens because the moon is at a point in its orbit further away from Earth.
Carolyn Sumners from the Houston Museum of Natural Science explains: “The moon is not large enough to cover the sun.”
The moon obscures the sun revealing a spectacular “ring of fire”. (Photo: AP).
Initially, it appeared as a bite taken out of the sun. The bite grew larger until the moon moved directly in line with the sun, at which point observers nearby often noticed a marked drop in temperature and brightness, with the fiery ring appearing around the sun.
A stunning image of the annular solar eclipse in South America. (Photo: AP).
As day turned to twilight, birds and animals sometimes entered their nighttime routines, thinking dusk was approaching.
The “Moai” stone statues on Easter Island during the annular solar eclipse. (Photo: AP).
The full “ring of fire” solar eclipse lasted about 6 minutes on Wednesday, starting in the North Pacific before passing through the Andes and Patagonia regions of Latin America. Lasting over three hours, according to NASA, it ended in the Atlantic Ocean.
Children and adults alike excitedly watching the solar eclipse. (Photo: AP).
