The southermost parts of the Philippines will witness an annular solar eclipse, with the Sun appearing as a ring of fire, on Dec. 26 or the day after Christmas.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration Astronomical Observatory chief Mario Remondo said the annular eclipse happens when the Moon is farthest from the Earth.
“Because the Moon is farther away from Earth, it seems smaller and does not block the entire view of the Sun, thus, creating a ring of fire effect or annulus,” he said.
Based on PAGASA’s Astronomical Diary, the annularity will be visible in some parts of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and southernmost parts of the Philippines.
According to Remondo, the annular eclipse next week will last for more than three hours. Remondo said that the best site of observation of the annular eclipse in the country is Balut, Batulaki, and Sarangani Island.
In Balut Island, the phenomenon will start at 12:43 p.m., will reach its maximum at 2:30 p.m., and will end at 3:57 p.m.
All other parts of the country will observe it only as partial solar eclipse. In Manila and Quezon City, Remondo said that the eclipse will begin at 12:32 p.m., reach its maximum at 2:19 p.m., and end at 3:47 p.m. (Alexandria San Juan)