Ring of Fire Eclipse

An annular eclipse, in which the moon passes in front of the sun leaving only a golden ring around its edges, was visible to wide areas across China, Japan and elsewhere in the region before moving across the Pacific to be seen in parts of the western United States.

Section:Gallery

Mon., May 21, 2012

An annular solar eclipse past by a monument in Xiamen in southeastern China's Fujian province Monday May 21, 2012. Millions of Asians watched as a rare "ring of fire" eclipse crossed their skies early Monday. The annular eclipse, in which the moon passes in front of the sun leaving only a golden ring around its edges, was visible to wide areas across the continent. Flare around eclipse caused by light passing through the lens.
An annular solar eclipse rises over the horizon in Xiamen in southeastern China's Fujian province Monday May 21, 2012. Millions of Asians watched as a rare "ring of fire" eclipse crossed their skies early Monday. The annular eclipse, in which the moon passes in front of the sun leaving only a golden ring around its edges, was visible to wide areas across the continent.
In this photo provided by the department of engery, the solar eclipse is reflected at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility located at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, N.M. The annular eclipse, in which the moon passes in front of the sun leaving only a golden ring around its edges, was visible to wide areas across China, Japan and elsewhere in the region before moving across the Pacific to be seen in parts of the western United States.

Randy Montoya Department Of Energy
An annular solar eclipse is partially seen at sunrise Monday, May 21, 2012, from the coastal township of Gumaca, Quezon province, 187 kilometers (116 miles) southeast of Manila, Philippines. Millions of Asians watched as a rare "ring of fire" eclipse crossed their skies early Monday. The annular eclipse, in which the moon passes in front of the sun leaving only a golden ring around its edges, was visible to wide areas across the continent.

Bullit Marquez Associated Press
Hikers watch an annular eclipse from Papago Park in Phoenix on Sunday, May 20, 2012. The annular eclipse, in which the moon passes in front of the sun leaving only a golden ring around its edges, was visible to wide areas across China, Japan and elsewhere in the region before moving across the Pacific to be seen in parts of the western United States.

Michael Chow The Arizona Republic
The sun sets between the grain elevators in Abbyville, Kan., during an annular eclipse Sunday, May 20, 2012. The annular eclipse, in which the moon passes in front of the sun leaving only a golden ring around its edges, was visible to wide areas across China, Japan and elsewhere in the region before moving across the Pacific to be seen in parts of the western United States.

Travis Morisse The Hutchinson News
A thundershower rolls through as an annular solar eclipse appears in Gardnerville, Nev., on Sunday, May 20, 2012. The annular eclipse, in which the moon passes in front of the sun leaving only a golden ring around its edges, was visible to wide areas across China, Japan and elsewhere in the region before moving across the Pacific to be seen in parts of the western United States.

Cathleen Allison Fr70203 Ap
Joseph Jeffries, 7, front, and his mom Betsy Jeffries, left, of Beaverton, Ore., look as the solar eclipse started Sunday evening May 20, 2012 in Portland, Ore. OMSI and Rose City Astronomers Club hosted an eclipse viewing party for the eclipse.

Faith Cathcart The Oregonian
Rebecca Harvey and Renis Harvey, of Yosemite, Calif., photograph the solar eclipse with a 600mm lens using a doubler through solar filter in Upper Bidwell Park at the Kiwanis Chico Community Observatory Sunday May 20, 2012 in Chico, Calif. Millions of people in the U.S. West and Asia witnessed a "ring of fire" eclipse cross their skies Sunday.

Tybarbour Tybarbour The Chico Enterprise-Record
The ring of fire solar eclipseis seen near McCloud, Calif., on Sunday, May 20, 2012. The western United States watched as the "ring of fire" eclipse crossed their skies.

Randall Benton The Sacramento Bee
The "ring of fire" solar eclipse, Sunday, May 20, 2012 is seen in Albuqeurque. The western United States watched as a "ring of fire" eclipse crossed their skies.

Morgan Petroski Albuquerque Journal
People observe the solar eclipse, Sunday, May 20, 2012 in Chico, Calif. The annular eclipse, in which the moon passes in front of the sun leaving only a golden ring around its edges, was visible to wide areas across China, Japan and elsewhere in the region before moving across the Pacific to be seen in parts of the western United States.

Ty Barbou The Chico Enterprise-Record
In a Sunday, May 20, 2012 photo, Brendon Ladd of La Habra, Calif. leans over as daughter Mary Carson, 5, of Palm Springs, Calif. looks through a telescope during an eclipse viewing event held at The Westin Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage, Calif. The eclipse was visible as a partial eclipse in the Coachella Valley, but in other parts of the country it was visible as an annular eclipse creating a visual ring of fire around the moon. Palm Springs, Calif. astronomer Bob Victor said that for the Coachella Valley, this will be the biggest portion of the sun covered by area until an eclipse in 2044.

Crystal Chatham The Desert Sun