Ring of fire solar eclipse 14 Oct 2023

Ring of fire solar eclipse

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.

© Sorin Furcoi/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Gateway to Iberia
14 Oct 2024Coco Beach, Goa, India
14 Oct 2025Village of Oia in Santorini, Greece

More Desktop Wallpapers:

11 Apr 2024Dragon waterfall, Venezuela
10 Sep 2025Hay bales in North Yorkshire, England
15 Oct 2025Amethyst laccaria mushrooms, Seabeck, Washington, United States
A public restroom or a tourist spot?
23 Nov 2023Teide National Park, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
3 Aug 2024Three Natural Bridges, Wulong National Park, China
27 Mar 2025World Theatre Day
9 Jul 2025Independence Day of the Argentine Republic
Big Bends birthday bash
16 Oct 2024Jurassic Coast, Dorset, England
10 Feb 2024South Downs Dark Skies Festival
17 Sep 2024Mid-Autumn Festival
9 Sep 2025Eurasian red squirrel, Switzerland
22 Feb 2025Gateway Arch in St Louis, Missouri, United States
8 May 2025World Donkey Day
1 Dec 2024Antarctica Day
3 Oct 2024National Poetry Day
One rare streak
22 Mar 2025Happy World Water Day!
27 Sep 2025Clark Range, Yosemite National Park, California, United States
17 Jan 2025Brown pelican, San Diego, California, United States
5 May 2024Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Meet for lunch?
The sun sets on British Summer Time
17 Nov 2023Meon Hill, Gloucestershire
26 Oct 2024Gespensterwald, Nienhagen, Germany
20 Dec 2024Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
16 May 2024International Day of Light
What are these unique creatures?
Aug 25, 2023National Park Service anniversary