Annular solar eclipse creates ring of fire visible in parts of South America on October 2

An annular solar eclipse, creating a "ring of fire," will occur on Wednesday, October 2. This event happens when the moon is too far from Earth to completely block the sun, allowing a bright ring to be visible. The eclipse will be visible in parts of South America, including Rapa Nui, Argentina, and Chile. It will start at 12:50 p.m. ET and peak at 2:45 p.m. ET, lasting just over seven minutes. A partial eclipse will be seen in Hawaii, American Samoa, and Brazil. NASA emphasizes the importance of eye protection during the eclipse. Regular sunglasses are not safe, and viewers should use eclipse glasses or a solar viewer. Alternative methods, like pinhole projectors, can also be used to observe the event safely.