‘Ring of fire’ solar eclipse delights astronomy fans

A solar eclipse delighted astronomy fans on Réunion in the Indian Ocean on Thursday, drawing sky-watchers outside to watch the moon pass before the sun to make a so-called “ring of fire”.

Some 3,000 people gathered on the southwestern side of the French-governed island to see the “annular solar eclipse” - the moment when the moon blots out most of the sun, creating the appearance of a bright ring around its edges.

Wearing protective glasses, residents and tourists watched and took pictures of the astronomical phenomenon for several hours.

“I [once] saw a solar eclipse . . . but I have never seen an annular solar eclipse before,” Austrian tourist Beate Sosz said. “It is great.”

Reuters