Sky gazers and scientists have all been counting down to witness today"s annular solar eclipse which will pass over parts of the Americas. A solar eclipse is nothing more than an alignment of the sun, Earth and moon that has the earth passing through the moon"s shadow. But why is the solar eclipse in today"s image different? It occurs when the moon is farthest from the Earth because of its elliptical orbit. When this happens, it appears smaller, letting the sun"s brilliance peek through and creating a halo—the "Ring of fire". Viewers in specific regions can witness this cosmic show, but please be cautious. This eclipse should not be looked at directly without wearing specialised eye protection.
Ring of fire solar eclipse
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Skyscrapers in Manhattan
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What returned to this city 500 years ago?
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Her legend and mystery endure
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This magical beach is worth the hike
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Celebrating the Scottish bard
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King of the jungle? Nope
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Cherry blossoms in Shanghai, China
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A peck between penguins
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Happy New Years Eve!
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A day of swing and celebration
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Rapa Valley in Sarek National Park, Sweden
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Immersing in nature
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‘The hills have a power to soothe and heal which is their very own.’
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Holiday hues
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When landscape met wilderness
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A delightful day for donkeys
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Old barn and canola field, Palouse region, Idaho
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Copper Falls State Park, Wisconsin
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Alps of the sea
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Brown-throated three-toed sloth
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Go hug a mountain, if you can
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Tis the season for travel
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Swinging over Munich
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The other great barrier reef
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Trunks packed for road
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Sligachan Old Bridge, Isle of Skye, Scotland
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Living rock
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Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia, USA
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Mylopotamos, Thessaly, Greece
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Mesmerising glass pyramids