'Ring of fire' solar eclipse of 2019 spreads wonder

Starting at 7:30am, it is to peak at 8.37am and go on till 1.06pm in Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – An annular solar eclipse has descended upon parts of Pakistan as millions of awestruck sightseers cast their gaze skyward at the extraordinary sight of the ‘ring of fire’ on Thursday morning.

The last annular eclipse in the decade to sweep across various countries of the world, and from coast to coast inspired many people to make marriage proposals, hold family reunions and take time from work to witness with wonder one of the cosmos’ rarest phenomena. The event drew one of the largest audiences in recent times, including those watching on television and online.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the eclipse will be visible all over Pakistan, especially in Karachi and Gwadar. Starting at 7.30am, it is to peak at 8.37am and go on till 1.06pm.

Hundreds of people scattered to experience a rare, and irresistible combination for astronomy buffs: a total eclipse of the sun that will be viewed from beneath the clear sky in Karachi.

Unlike total and partial eclipses, the annular one occurs when the Moon covers the Sun’s centre leaving the latter’s visible outer edges to form a ring of fire or annulus around the former.

According to the Met Office, "The penumbral eclipse will begin at 7:30am on December 26, the partial at 8:34am and total at 8:37am, while the greatest eclipse will happen at 10:18 am"

The Met Office said that this was a rare and historical event happening after 20 years. Solar Eclipse occurs when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, darkening the sky.

The solar eclipse is also visible in eastern Europe, much of Asia, northern and western Australia, eastern Africa, Pacific Ocean, Singapore, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Indian Ocean.

This GIF shows where in the world you should be keeping an eye out for the eclipse. The red dot shows the totality point, and the shadow shows where you can see a partial eclipse.

The first three eclipses occurred on January 6, June 2 and July 3, respectively. However, these three eclipses were not witnessed in Pakistan.

The event is very important for researchers and astrologers as they will get to study the outer realm of the Sun called the corona. This will enable them to develop a better understanding of the mechanics of the Sun.

However, experts have cautioned people to be careful while witnessing the eclipse, as looking directly towards the sky could cause permanent damage to the eyes.

Unlike the great 2017 solar eclipse that was visible across the United States, this one will leave a little ring of Sun when hitting the point of totality, a type of eclipse that is called an annular eclipse.

The reason we get this ‘ring of fire’ is due to the distance of our planet’s little satellite. The Moon is currently closer to its apogee (meaning it’s farther away from Earth), which makes it appear 3 percent smaller than the Sun when viewed from Earth.

You can see what an annular eclipse looks like in this spectacular satellite photo captured by NASA in January 2011.

Although an annular eclipse might not be as jaw-dropping as a total solar eclipse, it’s still amazing to think that the Moon and Sun are aligned so perfectly to produce magnificent celestial displays for us here on Earth.

Interestingly enough, solar eclipses always occur within roughly two weeks of a lunar eclipse, because of the way the eclipse season works. During eclipse season (which happens every six months or so), whenever there is a full Moon, a lunar eclipse occurs; and, whenever there is a new Moon, a solar eclipse occurs.

Depending on weather conditions, this year’s astronomical phenomenon was set to be visible from the Middle East across southern India and Southeast Asia before ending over the northern Pacific.

Hundreds of amateur astronomers, photographers and set up by Singapore’s harbour for what some described as a "once in a lifetime" event.

"The next one will happen in about 40 years I think," said Jason Teng, 37, who took the day off work to photograph the eclipse.

The amateur astronomer used a special solar filter on his telescope as there is no safe period to observe an annular solar eclipse. Alexander Alin 45, a geophysicist from Germany, travels around the world following eclipses.

"It’s only two minutes, but it’s so intense that you talk about it with your friends, family for the next month," Alin said.

The current season’s lunar eclipse is happening on 10 January, but unfortunately it’s a penumbral lunar eclipse, which is hard to distinguish from a usual full Moon. The last eclipse of 2019 also gives us a moment to reflect back on the 2010s.

The next annual eclipse in June 2020 will be visible to a narrow band from Africa to northern Asia.

The following one in June 2021 will only be seen in the Arctic and parts of Canada, Greenland and the remote Russian far east.