Rare 'ring of fire' eclipse to pass over Africa today

Image for representational purpose only

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: People can spectate a rare burning ring of fire in the skies of Africa on Thursday. The moon will glide between the sun and the earth blocking most of the light and darkening the sky above the continent.

This spectacle is known as an annular eclipse and sometimes also referred to as 'ring of fire' eclipse.

Unlike the regular total solar eclipse, an annular eclipse occurs when the moon does not totally block out the sun.

According to NASA, the eclipse will pass over the countries of Gabon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania and Mozambique. The longest eclipse will occur in Tanzania.

For people on the ground, this eclipse will appear as a strange ring in the sky spectacular showcasing the circular shadows.

Precautions to be taken:

A small amount of radiation from the sun is enough to burn your retinas, thus damaging your eyes severely. It's better to wear eclipse glasses before viewing this rare eclipse in order to save your eyes and view this spectacular site clearly.