A “ring of fire” bewitches the world: images of the last solar eclipse of 2024

Last October 2, 2024, astronomy enthusiasts in Chile and Argentina admired a breathtaking spectacle: the last solar eclipse of the year, with the evocative “circle of fire”. This type of eclipse, called annular, occurs when the Moon passes in front of the Sun, leaving a bright ring visible around the solar disk. The event crossed a narrow band of the planet, with maximum annularity of over 6 minutes in Argentina.

In addition to Chile and Argentina, the eclipse was also visible in parts of the Pacific Ocean, including the remote islands of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and southern parts of South America, including Patagonia. Outside the “path of totality”, the phenomenon was partially visible in cities such as Buenos Aires and Montevideo, where the sun appeared partially obscured, creating a spectacular crescent of light.

The next eclipses

While lucky spectators in Chile and Argentina were able to observe the totality of the eclipse, other regions witnessed a partial spectacle. In places like Antarctica, Hawaii, Mexico, New Zealand, Brazil and Uruguay, the Sun appeared sickle-like, almost as if a bite had been given to its surface.

The 2024 annular eclipse is the last event of its kind for this year. However, 2025 will bring us two partial solar eclipses, the first on March 29 and the second on September 21, with visibility in various parts of the world. For the next “ring of fire”, enthusiasts will have to wait until February 17, 2026.