The First Solar Eclipse Of 2020
The last annular solar eclipse on December, 26 2019, captured in Malaysia (Photo: Getty Images)
Coinciding with Father's Day, the first solar eclipse of the year will be taking place this weekend. Though not to be confused with a total eclipse – which occurs when the moon completely covers the sun – the annular solar eclipse is known for its characteristic ring of fire. The phenomenon occurs when the alignment of the moon is such that the central part of the sun is obscured from the earth’s views, leaving only the outer rim – the ring of fire – visible.
Taking place only every one to two years, the next annular solar eclipse will be happening this Sunday, June 21. From 2.37pm HKT on Sunday, June 21 the moon will touch the sun’s edge to begin the partial eclipse, with the maximum eclipse occurring at 4.08pm. The eclipse will last until 5.24pm when the moon leaves the sun’s edge.
The annular phase of this solar eclipse will be visible from parts of Africa, the south of Pakistan, northern India and parts of China. Although the full annular eclipse will not be visible from Hong Kong, a partial solar eclipse will be able to be seen in the afternoon. A partial solar eclipse occurs when the moon partially obscures the sun, casting a half-shadow – or a penumbra – on earth.
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As an annular Solar Eclipse, the annular phase would typically show the moon covering the Sun, leaving a gorgeous ‘ring of fire’ in the sky, just like we saw in December 2019. However, due to our altitude and direction, we here in Singapore will just be getting a sliver of a sneak peek.
Starting at around 3.04pm, the entire process will take approximately 1 hour 50 minutes. The maximum eclipse, where the moon is closest to the centre of the Sun, will occur at 4.03pm.
However, in spite of this, seeing such a phenomenon is an interesting experience nonetheless.
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SOLAR ECLIPSE 2020: RARE SUMMER SOLSTICE 'RING OF FIRE'
The phases of the Moon for June 2020. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
A rare type of solar eclipse will coincide with the longest day of the year this week, marking only the second time since 1982 that these astronomical events take place on the same day.
The annular solar eclipse will see the Sun, Moon and Earth align on Sunday, 21 June, creating a spectacular effect for sky gazers to witness across large parts of the world.
The Moon is at its furthest stage of its orbit around the Earth, known as its apogee, meaning it appears slightly smaller in the sky.
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'Ring of fire' solar eclipse set to blot out (most of) the sun
The first of two solar eclipses in 2020 will turn the sun into a glowing "ring of fire" on June 21 (or June 20 depending on where you're located). People along a narrow band of the world will have the chance to see it firsthand.
An annular solar eclipse happens when the moon is too far away from us to completely hide the sun, leaving a circle of brightness around the moon. That is how it gets the poetic "ring of fire" nickname.
The full annular eclipse will be visible from parts of Africa and Asia. "A narrow stripe from Africa to the Pacific Ocean will see the Moon in front of the Sun (blocking 99.4% of the Sun at its peak in northern India) such that only a bright ring is visible," NASA said in a skywatching update for June.
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The Best Annular Eclipse of the Decade Will Form a ‘Ring of Fire’ in the Sky on June 21, 2020
Less than nine hours after June’s solstice, the new moon will appear before sweeping directly in front of the Sun on June 21, forming the most impressive “ring of fire” annular solar eclipse of the decade.
On Sunday, June 21, the eclipse will begin at sunrise in the Republic of the Congo and travel northwest across central Africa, the Red Sea, the Middle East, the Gulf of Oman, Pakistan, and India.
It will then travel east and then southeast across China, Taiwan, the Philippine Sea, and south of Guam, ending at sunset over the North Pacific Ocean.
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This annular solar eclipse is fully visible in Singapore. It will begin at 11:27:09 local time when the Moon will begin moving in front of the Sun. The eclipse will be over at 15:18:26.
Observers there can experience the “ring of fire” that is characteristic for this kind of solar eclipse. This is a rare and spectacular event that can only be experienced along a relatively narrow strip on the Earth's surface.
The eclipse is also visible in other areas, but the Moon does not move centrally in front of the Sun there and the “ring of fire” is not visible. Check the weather for Singapore.
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