Hanga Roa, Easter Island:
On Wednesday afternoon, the moon wiped out most of the sun in the Pacific Ocean, creating an impressive annular solar eclipse over just a few landmass.
Only Easter Island and small areas near the southern tip of Chile and Argentina witnessed the annular solar eclipse, which lasted just a few minutes.
“The ring of fire is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Easter Island tourist Rocio Garcia told Reuters on Tuesday. “It will be spectacular, especially here at Rapa Nui with the moai in the background.”
An annular solar eclipse, like a total solar eclipse, occurs when the moon is too far from the Earth to completely obscure the sun, creating a bright light called an untumbula, or more casually, a “ring of fire.” Creates a dark silhouette surrounded by rings. .
As the sun dimmed over the island Wednesday afternoon, people gathered outside to catch a glimpse of the eclipse, chanting songs, playing music and wearing special glasses.
“I got excited when people were screaming,” said Easter Island resident Alejandra Astudillo. “Everyone's enthusiasm made it even more exciting.”
An estimated 175,000 people live in the path of the annular solar eclipse, providing spectacular views for far-flung residents and tourists following the eclipse.
“This was an unusual phenomenon that is rarely seen,” said Esteban Sánchez of Las Horquetas, Argentina, one of the few towns directly affected by the eclipse. “It was my first time seeing it, and it was really good.”
A partial solar eclipse was visible in the southern half of South America, parts of Antarctica and Hawaii, according to a map created by NASA.
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