"Ring of Fire" Annular Solar Eclipse (June 10 2021)

An annular solar eclipse on May 20, 2012.

Credits: Dale Cruikshank

In the early morning hours on Thursday, June 10, 2021 observers in Northern Ontario, Northern Quebec, and Nunavut will have the rare chance of seeing a “Ring of Fire” or Annular Solar Eclipse, weather permitting of course.

An annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes in front of the Sun but is far enough away from the Earth that it does not completely cover the Sun as it would during a total eclipse.

Even if you are outside the “path of annularity” (grey in the figure below from the University of Toronto’s page on the eclipse) you may be able to see the moon partially obscuring the Sun or a partial eclipse. You will have to get up early to see it as the eclipse will have started before the Sun rises except for regions in the far north (green). The areas that are yellow on the map will see the maximum after sunrise. If you are in a location where the area is red you will only see a partial eclipse, the Moon will gradually uncover more and more of the Sun as the maximum will have occurred before sunrise.

Check out this page from timeanddate.com for more maps and information. You can also search for a specific location to see when and what you will see from timeandate.com as well. See the example below for Ottawa:

It is very important not to look directly at the Sun especially during an eclipse as you can damage your eyes. “When watching a partial solar eclipse or annular solar eclipse, you must wear solar viewing or eclipse glasses throughout the entire eclipse if you want to face the Sun. Solar viewing or eclipses glasses are NOT regular sunglasses; regular sunglasses are not safe for viewing the Sun.” from NASA's page on the eclipse.

Here are instructions on how to make a pinhole camera that you can use to safely view the eclipse in an indirect manner.

See also space.com for more information about the eclipse.

Hopefully the skies will be clear so that you can enjoy eclipse.