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Eclipse creates stunning ‘ring of fire’ over parts of Asia and Middle East

Crowds across parts of Asia and the Middle East have witnessed a spectacular – and unique – annular solar eclipse, which won’t be seen again for more than 40 years.

Australians treated to early-morning lunar eclipse

The moon has turned the sun into a spectacular “ring of fire”, stunning millions of skywatchers.

The phenomenon – a rare annular solar eclipse – was witnessed across the Middle East and Asia, including in Singapore, where it won’t be seen again till 2063, reports The Sun.

“This will be the first and last time I’m seeing this – it is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me,” said Nurul Huda, 27, in Singapore.

The moon moves in front of the sun in a rare "ring of fire" solar eclipse as seen from Tanjung Piai, Malaysia. Picture: AFP
The moon moves in front of the sun in a rare "ring of fire" solar eclipse as seen from Tanjung Piai, Malaysia. Picture: AFP
The phenomenon – a rare annular solar eclipse – was witnessed across the Middle East and Asia, including in Singapore, where it won’t be seen again till 2063. Picture: AFP
The phenomenon – a rare annular solar eclipse – was witnessed across the Middle East and Asia, including in Singapore, where it won’t be seen again till 2063. Picture: AFP

She was among thousands at the Science Centre who cheered during “the greatest astronomical event in Singapore”, reported The Straits Times.

A girl watches on in Tanjung Piai, Malaysia. Picture: AFP
A girl watches on in Tanjung Piai, Malaysia. Picture: AFP

During an annular solar eclipse the Moon passes directly in front of the sun – as it does during a total solar eclipse.

Birds fly past a partial solar eclipse in Hyderabad, India. Picture: AP
Birds fly past a partial solar eclipse in Hyderabad, India. Picture: AP

But in this instance, the moon is too small to fully obscure the sun from view, explains Tanya Hill, senior curator (Astronomy), at Museums Victoria.

Instead of eclipsing or hiding the sun, the moon turns it into a spectacular “ring of fire” that encircles the dark moon.

Women watch a solar eclipse through special glasses in Medan, Indonesia. Picture: AP
Women watch a solar eclipse through special glasses in Medan, Indonesia. Picture: AP

Singapore’s Science Centre prepared 6000 solar viewing glasses for visitors, who also watched the spectacle through telescopes.

The centre said that for those on the island, the “annular solar eclipse is such a rare and wonderful occurrence.

“It is a once-in-a-lifetime sight for many. After today, the next visible annular solar eclipse will occur on 28 February 2063.”

This composite image shows the moon as it moves in front of the sun in a rare "ring of fire" solar eclipse. Picture: AFP
This composite image shows the moon as it moves in front of the sun in a rare "ring of fire" solar eclipse. Picture: AFP

Albert Ho, president of the Astronomical Society of Singapore, explained to Reuters: “This will be the first of only two annular eclipses visible from Singapore for the rest of the century.

“So in that sense, it’s a very rare event for us.”

On Boxing Day, skywatchers in Saudi Arabia as well as southern India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia also looked upwards as the Sun formed a ring of fire around the moon.

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Skywatchers gather to watch the moon as it moves in front of the sun in Malaysia. Picture: AFP
Skywatchers gather to watch the moon as it moves in front of the sun in Malaysia. Picture: AFP

In Banda Aceh, Indonesia, thousands of people cheered and clapped as the sun transformed into a dark orb for more than two minutes, briefly plunging the sky into darkness.

Hundreds of others prayed at nearby mosques.

The eclipse is seen through a telescope in Siak, Riau province, Indonesia. Picture: AP
The eclipse is seen through a telescope in Siak, Riau province, Indonesia. Picture: AP

Firman Syahrizal told reporters: “How amazing to see the ring of fire when the Sun disappeared slowly.”

The previous annular solar eclipse in February 2017 was also visible over a slice of Indonesia.

Onlookers all wore solar filter glasses to watch the rare event. Picture: AFP
Onlookers all wore solar filter glasses to watch the rare event. Picture: AFP

This story was originally published in The Sun and is reprinted with permission.

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/eclipse-creates-stunning-ring-of-fire-over-parts-of-asia-and-middle-east/news-story/531428ba031196c32df448c36d276920