If you’re a fan of stargazing, make sure you mark June 21 off in your calendar.
That day, an annular solar eclipse is set to appear, and you don’t want to miss it!
An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon is too far away from the Earth to completely cover the sun, resulting in a ring of light around the darkened moon.
In the build-up to the event, NASA has shared an incredible video, showing what the ‘ring of fire’ sun will look like.
The video was filmed from Western Australia during the Annular Solar Eclipse of May 2013.
NASA explained: “In the early morning of 2013 May 10, from Western Australia, the Moon was between the Earth and the rising Sun.
“At times, it would be hard for the uninformed to understand what was happening. In an annular eclipse, the Moon is too far from the Earth to block the entire Sun, and at most leaves a ring of fire where sunlight pours out around every edge of the Moon.”
The video recorded the eclipse through the high refraction of the Earth’s atmosphere just above the horizon, making the unusual rising sun and moon also appear flattened.
As the video continues, the sun continues to rise, before the sun and moon begin to separate.
Unfortunately for Brits, this week’s annular solar eclipse won’t be visible from the UK.
Instead, the path of the eclipse will begin in central Africa and travel through Saudi Arabia, northern India and southern China, before ending in the Pacific Ocean.
Meanwhile, viewers in eastern Africa, the Middle East and southern Asia will be able to see a partial eclipse.
NASA added: “This weekend, a new annular solar eclipse will occur, visible from central Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and a narrow band across Asia, with much of Earth's Eastern hemisphere being able to see a partial solar eclipse.”
While the annular solar eclipse won’t be visible from the UK, Time and Date will be live streaming the event, so you can watch it here.
Mirror Online will also be sharing photos of the eclipse from around the world, so make sure you check back in on the 21st!
