Solar eclipse: 13 stunning photos of the blazing ‘ring of fire’

Solar eclipse
Solar eclipse pictures

On 14 October 2023, an extraordinary annular eclipse took place across North, Central and South America on 14 October. Millions were mesmerised by its captivating “ring of fire”.

This astonishing phenomenon occurred as the Moon passed in front of the Sun. Since it wasn’t close enough to block out all of its rays completely, a small fiery halo of sunlight remained visible around its periphery.

Solar eclipses are not rare across the Americas; residents in regions including the US, Mexico and Canada can look forward to witnessing one on April 8, 2024 – however this won’t be a ‘ring of fire’ eclipse which next occurs around 2039 around US territory.

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In the UK, a partial eclipse, will occur in March 2025. The next total eclipse visible on the British Isles will be in September 2090.

Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Partial solar eclipse
(1/3)The Moon starts crossing in front of the Sun over Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, during an annular eclipse on 14 October 2023. Photo by Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty Images
Partial solar eclipse
(2/3)The Moon crosses and eclipses the Sun over Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, during an annular eclipse on 14 October 2023. Photo by Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty Images
Total eclipse
(3/3) The ‘ring of fire’ effect of the Moon eclipsing the Sun during the annular eclipse of the Sun over Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, during an annular eclipse on 14 October 2023. Photo by Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty Images

Mexico City, Mexico

People with eclipse glasses look at the sky
People watch the annular solar eclipse at the Luis Enrique Erro Planetarium of the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) in Mexico City on 14 October 2023. Photo by Alfredo Estrella/AFP/Getty Images
Red Sun solar eclipse
The annular solar eclipse as seen from the Luis Enrique Erro Planetarium of the National Polytechnic Institute in Mexico City, on 14 October 2023. Photo by Luis Barron/Eyepix Group/Future Publishing/Getty Images

Penonome, Panama

Ring of fire eclipse
TOPSHOT – The “Ring of Fire” effect caused during the annular solar eclipse is seen from Penonome, Panama, on October 14, 2023. (Photo by Luis Acosta / AFP) (Photo by LUIS ACOSTA/AFP via Getty Images) – ©Getty Images

Bogota, Columbia

A woman uses a welding mask to watch the annular solar eclipse in Bogota on 14 October 2023. Photo by Juan Barreto/AFP/Getty Images

California, USA

A view of the annular solar eclipse as seen on a Sunspotter telescope at Caspers Wilderness Park in San Juan Capistrano. California, USA on 14 October 2023. At the height of the eclipse, the moon covered approximately 70 per cent of the Sun’s surface. Photo by Mark Rightmire/Digital First Media/Orange County Register/Getty Images
Man with parrot on shoulder looks at eclipse through glasses
A solar enthusiast with a parrot views a partial solar eclipse through special protective glasses at the Griffith Observatory, California, USA, on 14 October 2023. Photo by Ringo Chiu/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

Tatacoa, Columbia

(1/2) The Moon moves across the Sun’s path in Tatacoa, Colombia on 14 October 2023. Photo by Juancho Torres/Anadolu/Getty Images
TATACOA, COLOMBIA – OCTOBER 14: The Lunar orb moving across the sun’s path,
creates the Annular Solar Eclipse spectacle in the Tatacoa, Colombia on October 14, 2023. (Photo by Juancho Torres/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Manaus, Brazil

hazy partial eclipse
The Moon crosses in front of the Sun during the annular solar eclipse as smoke
haze from fires in the Amazon rainforest blankets the sky in Manaus, Amazonas State, northern Brazil, on 14 October 2023. Photo by Michael Dantas/AFP/Getty Images

Utah, USA

sequence of solar eclipse
A compilation of photographs shows the progress of the Annular Solar Eclipse on 14 October 2023.
in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, USA. Photo by George Frey/Getty Images

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