How to view ‘ring of fire’ eclipse this weekend

People in northern Australia might be lucky enough to glimpse a total solar eclipse this weekend. Here’s how to make the most of it.

Staff writers

less than 2 min read

June 20, 2020 - 1:31PM

Solar Eclipse

The northern parts of Australia will be treated to a solar eclipse this weekend as we approach the winter solstice.

Eclipses occur when the orbital paths of the sun, moon and Earth align so that one blocks the other from view.

An annular solar eclipse, like the one set to occur this weekend, is effectively a total eclipse of the sun, but it doesn’t fully obscure it from view.

A total solar eclipse is occurring this weekend, and will be visible in parts of Australia.

Because the moon is currently far away from the Earth in its orbit, it appears smaller, so won’t completely obscure the sun from view.

Instead, the edges of the sun will shine through and create a “ring of fire” around the moon.

YouTube videos provide an example of what you can expect to see.

The eclipse will only be visible in northern parts of Australia, southern parts of Asia, central Africa, China and the Pacific region.

It’s scheduled to occur at around 4.40pm (AEST) on Sunday afternoon.

According to Time and Date, the eclipse’s shadow path will begin in central Africa before swooping through Asia, and finally ending up in the northern tip of Australia.

NASA has assured people that you can be hundreds of miles from the line of totality and still enjoy an incredible view.

If you have access to a telescope it may help to get an even better look.

This composite image shows the moon as it moves in front of the sun in a rare ‘ring of fire’ solar eclipse as seen from Tanjung Piai in Malaysia on December 26, 2019. A similar phenomenon is set to occur this Sunday. Picture: Sadiq Asyraf/AFP

Several groups have planned livestreams so we all can witness the event as it happens, including Time and Date and the Virtual Telescope Project, which will begin broadcasting from 0530 UTC, 21 June 2020 (3.30pm AEST)

The last annular eclipse took place in late 2019, and gives us a glimpse of what to expect this time around.

after several months of work, i am glad to share my large FOV image of the #solareclipse2019 observed from @cerrotololo ! this was made possible thanks to @NikonFR and @cieletespace. More information on my website:https://t.co/LMfTuAwr4p pic.twitter.com/5kgeQhytLN
— Nicolas Lefaudeux (@NLefaudeux) January 29, 2020

I was lucky enough to capture the annular #solareclipse2019 from Sangupiddy bridge, Jaffna â¤ï¸
.https://t.co/xzaBAPPmBB
.#ganidubalasuriya #natgeoyourshot #sosrilanka #jaffna pic.twitter.com/S78WFexk6c
— Ganidu Balasuriya (@GaniduMB) December 27, 2019

Today's solar eclipse at Islamabad
Cr: Usman pic.twitter.com/6gtircdtWE
— Amazing Pakistan (@Amazing_pk) December 26, 2019

Due to travel restrictions, experts are doubtful about whether hardcore eclipse chasers will be able to capture the solar eclipse for this year.

Some people pay thousands of dollars to fly in chartered jets – or eclipse chasers – and pursue the moon’s shadow.

In addition to beating the odds of bad weather, such hardcore eclipse chasers can extend their length of time in the moon’s shadow, sometimes by several minutes.

Some eclipse fans spend have been known to spend years planning for the event.