EASTER ISLAND/LAS HOCQUETAS HUNGAROA, Argentina, Oct 2 (Askume) – The moon blocked most of the sun over the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday afternoon, leaving only some areas of land visible in an impressive annular “ring of fire” solar eclipse.
Only Easter Island and a small area near the southern tip of Chile and Argentina witnessed the annular eclipse, which lasted only a few minutes.
“The Ring of Fire is a once in a lifetime experience,” Rocio Garcia, a tourist on Easter Island, told Askume on Tuesday. “Especially in Rapa Nui, with the moai as the backdrop, it’s pretty spectacular.”
An annular solar eclipse, like a total solar eclipse, occurs when the Moon is too far from Earth to completely block the Sun, creating a dark shadow that is surrounded by a bright halo called the “antumbra,” or more commonly referred to as the “ring of fire.”
As the sunlight dimmed over the island on Wednesday afternoon, people gathered outside chanting slogans, playing music and wearing special glasses to watch the eclipse.
“I get excited when people are yelling and screaming,” said Easter Island resident Alejandra Astudillo. “Everyone’s enthusiasm makes it more exciting.”
An estimated 175,000 people live in the eclipse’s circular path, providing a stunning view for remote residents and eclipse-chasing tourists alike.
“It’s an extraordinary phenomenon that’s not common,” said Esteban Sanchez of Las Horquetas, Argentina, one of the few towns in the direct path of the eclipse. “It’s the first time I’ve seen something like this, and it’s really cool.”
According to maps prepared by NASA, the southern part of South America and parts of Antarctica and Hawaii will experience a partial solar eclipse.
