PAGASA

Annular Solar Eclipse with "Ring of Fire" effect an be seen in the Phi

20 December 2019

S&T PRESS RELEASE
20 December 2019
Quezon City

Annular Solar Eclipse with “Ring of Fire” effect can be seen in the Philippines – DOST-PAGASA

Quezon City – A solar eclipse will occur right after Christmas Day, December 26, 2019, creating a “Ring of Fire” effect, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA).

“The moon will cross sun completely. However, the moon’s orbit is in a position farthest away from Earth. This means that the moon’s apparent size in the sky is not large enough to completely cover the sun, as witnessed during total solar eclipses. This, instead, creates a “Ring of Fire” effect,” says Engr. Mario M. Raymundo, Weather Specialist II.

The eclipse will be visible in Southernmost parts of the Philippines – particularly in Glan (Batulak), Balut and Sarangani Island, some parts of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Northern Maraina Islands and Guam.

For the Philippines, the partial solar eclipse will occur early afternoon and estimated to end at around 4:00 PM in Balut Island, Saranggani, Davao Occidental. The eclipse is expected to last for at least three hours, while the duration of annularity is likely to last for more than two minutes.

The partial solar eclipse can also be seen in these selected areas:

Manila
Quezon City
Aparri
Laoag
Legazpi
Puerto Princesa
Mactan

The Philippines last witnessed an annular eclipse on July 20, 1944 that traversed from Puerto Princesa City, Palawan to Southern Mindanao.

It is expected that the next annular solar eclipse visible in the Philippines will take place on February 28, 2063 which can be seen in most parts of Mindanao. Another annular solar eclipse will occur on July 24, 2074 passing through Southern Luzon.

For Future annular solar eclipses:

Dec. 26, 2019 – Annual Solar Eclipse visible in the Philippines (Balut Island)
June 21, 2020 – Annular Solar Eclipse visible in the Philippines as Partial Solar Eclipse
June 10, 2021 – Annual Solar Eclipse not visible in the Philippines
Oct. 14, 2023 – Annual Solar Eclipse not visible in the Philippines
Oct. 02, 2024 – Annual Solar Eclipse not visible in the Philippines
Feb. 17, 2026 – Annual Solar Eclipse not visible in the Philippines
Feb. 06, 2027 – Annual Solar Eclipse not visible in the Philippines
Jan. 26, 2028 – Annular Solar Eclipse not visible in the Philippines

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For more information, please contact:

Engr. Dario L. Dela Cruz
Chief, Space Sciences and Astronomy Section
Trunkline no.: (+632) 8284-08-00 lo

Ms. Venus R. Valdemoro
Officer-in-Charge, Public Information
Trunkline no.: (+632) 824-08-