A solar eclipse will create one “ring of fire” in the skies over parts of South America today, Wednesday, according to NASA.

Today the Moon will pass in front of the Sun, casting its shadow over parts of the Earth. An annular solar eclipse will be visible in parts of South America, and a partial solar eclipse will be visible in parts of South America, Antarctica, North America, the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii.

When and where it happens

Annular eclipse

This annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth while it is at its furthest point from Earth. Because the Moon is farther from Earth than usual, it appears smaller than the Sun and does not completely cover the Sun. This creates what looks like a “ring of fire” in the sky.

Before and after the Sun appears as a ring of fire, viewers will see parts of the Sun “blocked”, creating a crescent shape.

Because the Sun is never completely covered, observers should wear appropriate eye protection at all times during this eclipse.

Partial Eclipse

Viewers outside the central eclipse path but within the Moon’s shadow will experience a partial solar eclipse. The Moon will only “block” part of the Sun and will never create the “ring of fire” in the sky. The Sun may appear like a crescent or like a piece that has come out of it.

Because the Sun is never completely covered, observers should wear appropriate eye protection at all times while watching this eclipse.

How to watch the eclipse safely

During partial or annular solar eclipses, it is never safe to look directly at the eclipse without proper eye protection.

According to NASA, when viewing a partial or annular solar eclipse directly with the eyes, one should always look at it through safe solar glasses (“eclipse glasses”) or a safe portable solar telescope. “Eclipse glasses” are NOT regular sunglasses. Regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the Sun. Safe sunlight projectors are thousands of times darker and should comply with international standard ISO 12312-2.

According to NASA, the annular solar eclipse will be visible in the following places:

  • Argentina
  • Chile

The partial solar eclipse will be visible in whole or in part in:

  • American Samoa
  • Antarctic
  • Argentina
  • Baker Island, Small Outlying Islands of the USA
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Christmas Island
  • Clipperton Island
  • Cook Islands
  • Falkland Islands
  • Fiji
  • French Polynesia
  • Hawaii, USA
  • Mexico
  • New Zealand
  • Niue
  • Palmyra Atoll, Small Outlying Islands of the USA
  • Paraguay
  • Pitcairn Islands
  • Samoa
  • South Georgia and Sandwich Islands
  • Tokelau
  • Tonga
  • Tuvalu
  • Uruguay
  • Wales and Futuna