A rare annular solar eclipse will be visible across parts of the Southern Hemisphere on October 2, creating a spectacular "ring of fire" effect as the moon passes in front of the sun. The eclipse will leave the sun's outer edges visible, forming a bright circle around the moon.

A Unique Solar Eclipse Across the Southern Hemisphere

This annular solar eclipse will be visible from specific regions in the Southern Hemisphere. During the event, the moon’s shadow will move at different speeds depending on the observer’s location. In some places, it will travel faster than 6 million mph, while in others, it will slow down to around 1,278 mph, the speed of a fighter jet.

As the moon’s shadow moves from northwest to southeast, the curvature of the Earth will affect how the eclipse is experienced. Because the planet is round, the shadow travels across a curved surface, and this constantly changes the distance between the moon and various locations on Earth. Consequently, the shadow's speed will vary greatly depending on where you are viewing the eclipse.

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Fastest and Slowest Movements of the Moon’s Shadow

The moon’s shadow will travel at incredible speeds, especially as it first touches Earth in the Pacific Ocean. Initially, the shadow will move at around 5.31 million mph, and as it leaves Earth near South Georgia Island, it will increase to 6.25 million mph. While these figures seem extreme, they are largely symbolic as the shadow touches Earth only briefly at those points.

This GIF illustrates the path of the annular eclipse curving across the Earth. (Credit: Solar Eclipse Global Animation by Fred Espenak, eclipsewise.com, and Michael Zeiler)

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However, when the ring of fire appears just above the horizon, the speed is more relatable. The shadow will travel at 5,131 mph when the eclipse begins and will slow to 8,893 mph as it moves along its path.

Where the Eclipse Slows Down

The most prolonged view of the ring of fire will occur when the moon’s shadow moves its slowest, at 1,278 mph. This will happen over a remote point in the Pacific Ocean, northwest of Easter Island. There, the spectacular ring will be visible for 7 minutes and 25 seconds. The slow movement is due to the position of the sun being nearly overhead, and the moon’s shadow striking the Earth’s surface almost perpendicularly.

This annular solar eclipse is a rare opportunity for observers in the Southern Hemisphere. While the moon’s shadow will move at incredible speeds, those lucky enough to be in the right place will witness the breathtaking "ring of fire" for an extended period. It’s a reminder of the majestic and intricate movements of our solar system.