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Antarctica’s ‘Ring of Fire’ Eclipse Arrives on Cue, With Partial Views Across the Far South

The Moon’s apogee produced a bright solar ring over a remote, narrow Antarctic path, restricting most observers to partial phases.

Overview

  • - The annular phase tracked a corridor about 616 kilometers wide over Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, matching forecasts for a maximum ring duration of roughly 2 minutes 20.9 seconds.
  • - Partial coverage was recorded in populated areas, including around 83% on Isla Rey Jorge, about 11% in Cape Town, up to roughly 40% in southern Patagonia, and near 5% in Punta Arenas.
  • - The event ran from approximately 09:56 to 14:27 UTC, with annularity between about 11:42 and 12:41 UTC and the brightest ring near the midpoint.
  • - Safety guidance from experts emphasized certified solar filters (ISO 12312-2), noting that daylight persists during annular eclipses and direct viewing risks permanent eye damage.
  • - The remote track limited large public outreach and on‑site campaigns; the eclipse is part of Saros cycle 121, with the next notable events including a total lunar eclipse on March 3 and a total solar eclipse on August 12.