‘Ring of fire’ solar eclipse to be visible next week but only in some areas – here’s when you can next see one

A RARE 'ring of fire' eclipse is set to be visible next week, but only in a handful of countries in the southern hemisphere.

The annular eclipse will see the moon cover up to about 93 per cent of the sun's disk - creating the famous 'Eye of Sauron' display.

It will be visible on 2 October over parts of the Pacific Ocean, southern Chile, southern Argentina, Easter Island and Antarctica.

During an annular solar eclipse, the moon is slightly farther away from the sun in comparison with a total solar eclipse where the solar disk is completely obscured.

An annular solar eclipse typically occurs every one or two years.

While the 'ring of fire' will only be visible over a relatively small area of Earth, a partial solar eclipse will be visible for many others.

A partial solar eclipse is when the moon covers a smaller fraction of the sun, and the solar disk appears like a crescent.

It's important to note that because the sun is never fully covered, observers must wear proper eye protection at all times while watching an eclipse.

Next solar eclipse in UK

If you can't hop on a plane to see the display, then don't worry.

The next partial solar eclipse is due to take place on 29 March 2025 - so it's not too long of a wait.

The event will be visible across Europe, with as much as 47 per cent of the sun expected to be blocked by the moon from the UK.

But if a total eclipse is what you're after, then you will have to wait quite a while.

That isn't scheduled to happen until 23 September 2090 - nearly 100 years after the last time it graced UK skies.

The last time the path of an eclipse's totality went over the UK was in 1999.

Next solar eclipse in US

Skygazers in the US have enjoyed two major eclipses in the last two years.

A total solar eclipse was visible across North America on 8 April last year, less than six months after an annular eclipse on 14 October 2023.

Although not quite the wait that UK residents will endure, the next total solar eclipse visible from the US will occur on 23 August 2044.

How to watch an eclipse

You should never look directly at the sun without proper eye protection, which includes:

• Eclipse glasses
• Solar filters
• Solar telescope

Every observer will need to wear eclipse glasses or use solar filters to safely view this event - even through cameras or binoculars.

Cameras and binoculars should only be used with solar filters during the partial phases.

You’ll need to remove the solar filters during totality if you want to capture the corona on camera.

But you must keep an eye on the time so you know when the sun is about to remerge, otherwise it could damage your camera and your eyes.