Watch 2017's only breathtaking 'ring of fire' solar eclipse today – This is how you can gaze at the spectacle

Image courtesy: NASA

New Delhi: Sky gazers will be treated to a rare, yet breathtaking annular solar eclipse today.

The annular solar eclipse, also known as 'ring of fire' eclipse, does not occur all too often, but when it happens it surely captivates the hearts of those who look up at the night sky.

How to watch it safely

According to the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA), the eclipse can be safely observed using a basic pinhole projector.

Punch a tiny hole in a piece of paper with a sharp pencil, hold it into the Sun, and project the image onto a second sheet.

The gaps between tree leaves make for a similar effect on the ground, says the ASSA website, calling this "the coolest and safest way to watch a solar eclipse".

To look at the Sun directly, one would need special glasses.

Because good weather is the key to successful eclipse viewing, NASA's eclipse website recommends watching the weather forecast a day or two before the eclipse, and picking somewhere with a cloud-free prediction.

Where, when can you see the annular solar eclipse?

People in parts of South America and Africa will be lucky enough to witness the spectacular eclipse.

(With AFP inputs)