A rare ‘ring of fire’ annular solar eclipse was witnessed over Easter Island on October 2, 2024. During this spectacular event, the new moon appeared to perfectly align within the sun’s disk for up to 7 minutes and 25 seconds. This caused the moon’s edge to touch the inside edge of the sun, creating a stunning display of “Baily’s beads” where sunlight poured through the moon’s mountains.
Unlike total solar eclipses, annular solar eclipses occur when the moon is farther from Earth, preventing it from completely covering the sun’s disk. On October 2, the moon eclipsed 86.9% of the sun at its peak, appearing 6.4% smaller than average. Astrophotographer Aditya Madhavan captured this incredible moment using a Lunt H-alpha telescope, which isolates the sun’s chromosphere – a thin layer of plasma between the photosphere and the corona.
Madhavan’s image showcased solar prominences extending from the sun’s surface into the corona, providing a unique perspective of the eclipse. This event was only visible within a remote path across Patagonia in Chile and Argentina, as well as Easter Island. The eclipse was observed above the Rano Kau volcanic caldera on Easter Island, where annularity lasted for up to 6 minutes and 10 seconds.
Easter Island, known for its iconic human-faced moai statues, witnessed its first annular solar eclipse since 1788 and will not see another until 2345. This eclipse marked Earth’s first annular solar eclipse since 2023, with the next one not expected until 2026. The longest ‘ring of fire’ eclipse is anticipated in 2027, lasting for 7 minutes and 51 seconds and visible from various countries.
This mesmerizing celestial event drew eclipse chasers from around the world to witness the unique phenomenon on Easter Island. The island, covering just 63 square miles, rarely experiences solar eclipses, making this occurrence even more special for observers. With its rich history and cultural significance, Easter Island provided a picturesque backdrop for this rare astronomical event.
For more captivating space images and updates on upcoming eclipses, explore our Space Photo of the Week archives. Stay tuned for future astronomical events and discoveries that continue to inspire and awe observers worldwide.
