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Africa to witness ‘Ring of Fire’ Solar Eclipse

September 1, 2016 12:25 PM |

Africa to witness ‘Ring of Fire’ Solar EclipseThe residents of most of equatorial Africa will witness a rare celestial treat in the form of an annular (ring shaped) Solar Eclipse. These eclipses are also known as ‘Ring of Fire’ eclipses which means that the sun will brightly shine around the Moon’s edges.

For the ones living under a rock, a solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, the Moon and the Earth line up for the Moon to partially block the sun and cast an antumbra on the Earth.

This major solar eclipse is expected to be visible over the southern Hemisphere parts of Africa. Some of the countries to witness this celestial event include Madagascar, Gabon, Mozambique and the Republic of Congo Tanzania.

The best part is that the weather conditions will be favourable for the upcoming eclipse. As per meteorologists, sky is likely to remain clear.

The eclipse is expected to begin at 8:39 am (local time), the ring of fire will be at its best for sky gazers at 10:06 am. The final landfall of the eclipse will be at Réunion at 2:09 pm (local time). The eclipse will be visible for the longest time over southern parts of Tanzania for over three minutes.

Other countries will also see a partial eclipse including Europe as well as the Arabian Peninsula. While Italy will witness a 50 percent covered sun, people in Iceland, Finland, Norway, and Scotland will see 90 percent of the sun.

If you happen to miss this rare celestial event, another Solar Eclipse which will also be a ring of fire eclipse is to occur on February 26, 2017.

Image Credit:  gizmodo.in

 






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