Solar Eclipse June 2020: When Is 'The Ring Of Fire' Eclipse? What Is It And What Makes It Special?

On June 21 parts of Northern India will witness a 'ring of Fire eclipse'. Find out what it is and the timings of the celestial event.

ACEH, INDONESIA - DECEMBER 26: A solar eclipse is visible from district Simeulue, Aceh, Indonesia on December 26, 2019. The so-called ring of fire is seen from 25 districts and cities and its peak takes place between 11 am to 2 pm local time. (Photo by Khalis Surry/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

New Delhi: Get ready to witness an annular solar eclipse on June 21. This time it becomes an extra special event as the day happens to be a June solstice the longest day of the year. According to timeanddate.com the eclipse will 9:15 am and will end by 3:04 pm on June 21(although there might be slight variation in time). It also said that the full eclipse will start from 10:17 am and the maximum eclipse will occur at 12:10 pm. According to media reports, the eclipse will be visible from parts of Africa, Pakistan, Northern India, and China.  What is a solar eclipse? A solar eclipse occurs when the sun, moon, and earth are aligned in such a manner that the moon passes between the sun and the earth and blocks the sunlight. It can be both partial (moon only blocks part of the sun’s light) or total ( moon blocks the sun completely) The moon casts a shadow on earth and as the earth rotates it creates a trail which is called the path of totality. And only in this path will you experience total darkness during an eclipse. What is an annular solar eclipse? An annular solar eclipse happens when the sun and moon are exactly in line with the earth. But the moon is too far away to completely cover the sun like in the case of a total eclipse. So, the sun appears as a bright ring or annulus. It is also called a ring of fire eclipse. Things to remember Unlike a lunar eclipse, it is very dangerous to see a solar eclipse with naked eyes. Looking at the sun directly can destroy the cells in the retina causing retinal burns which are also known as eclipse blindness or solar retinopathy. Symptoms include loss of vision or distorted vision due to a blindspot. It is always advisable to protect your eyes and use simple tools like pinhole projection to while observing an eclipse. Also Watch | Indian high-commission staffers beaten with rod in Pakistan: Sources