Annular solar eclipse to create 'ring of fire' effect across South America on October 2

An annular solar eclipse will occur on October 2, 2024, creating a "ring of fire" effect as the moon partially covers the sun. This event follows a total solar eclipse in April and will be visible mainly from southern Argentina, Chile, and Easter Island. The eclipse will start at 2:04 PM local time on Easter Island and reach parts of Argentina around 5:20 PM. While only about 175,000 people will see the full annular eclipse, an estimated 239 million others will witness a partial eclipse across South America and parts of the Pacific. Viewing the eclipse safely is crucial. Experts advise against looking directly at the sun without proper protection, such as eclipse glasses or solar filters. The next total solar eclipse visible in the UK will not occur until 2090.